County Connections Newsletter |
|
This Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (the Department) newsletter is designed to inform county directors, management and staff about county performance, policy changes, process updates, upcoming due dates, and more |
|
New Trainings from the Staff Development Center |
|
October 2020 Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS) Build Webinar
The Staff Development Center (SDC) will be hosting two live webinars for the Sponsor Reimbursement of Public Benefits project with the October 2020 CBMS Build. This project will automate processes in CBMS that will run in January and July of each year and will send specific correspondence to sponsors about the amount that is owed on a reimbursement claim.
October 2020 CBMS Build Project Webinar
- Project #13762: Sponsor Reimbursement of Public Benefits.
- This webinar is only for the October 2020 Build Project #13762: Sponsor Reimbursement of Public benefits. No other Build projects will be covered in this webinar.
Date & Time: Oct. 1 - 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
This webinar will also be available as a recording for those who cannot attend the scheduled live sessions. We will send a separate communication once that recording is posted and available on CoLearn.
Registration Instructions
-
You will need to log into your CO.Learn account and search for ‘CBMS Oct Build: Webinar for 13762 Sponsor Reimbursement of Public Benefits VILT’. Upon registration, you will receive an email confirmation with the adobe room link.
- You can also click on the Calendar and locate the sessions there.
|
|
New Health First Colorado App |
|
The new Health First Colorado mobile app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Members can download the app directly from the app stores, or by updating their PEAKHealth app. This member-facing app replaces PEAKHealth.
Members can sign into the Health First Colorado app using their PEAK account. Members can use the app to:
• See if their coverage is active.
• Learn about benefits.
• Update their information.
• Find providers.
• View their member ID card.
• Call the Nurse Advice Line, Colorado Crisis Line and Quitline.
• Pay premiums and enrollment fees (for Buy-In and CHP+ members).
The app has a sleek and modern look and is more user friendly than the previous PEAKHealth. Future updates to the app will include functionalities such as to-do lists and changing your primary care provider.
|
|
Lakewood Data Center Outage |
|
Below are more details about the upcoming Lakewood Data Center (LDC) power outages and how counties will be affected, including the two dates for the upcoming outages at the LDC, with a go/no go date of Sept. 21. We will keep this document updated with any new information for you to reference.
Lakewood Data Center Overnight Outages
Sunday, Oct. 4 at 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 5 at 8 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11 at 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 12 at 8 a.m.
During these outage windows, all CBMS end users and PEAK clients will be unable to access all associated applications. The following apps have been identified as being impacted during this time:
- MyCDHS Portal (Option 2 MS Exchange Email will NOT be available).
- CBMS
- PEAK
- ACSES
- eCSE
- New Hire Reporting
- CSE-Tools
- SIDMOD
- CFMS/EBS
- Trails (Hotline operations will continue, but hotline recordings will not be immediately linked in Trails)
- EBT
- TeamMate
- Appeals Tracking
-
Colorado Budget Reimbursement and Expense System (CBRES)
- Centricity/Fusion (DYS)
- eVPN - Virtual Power Network
**Please note batch files that rely on these systems and run during these hours will be delayed as well.
The following applications will be running on the front end, but have dependencies on the backend that will be affected by the power outage. For these programs, the data will not refresh until the backend dependent systems are back online.
These outages are a necessary part of the LDC modernization project. The LDC is one of two Office of Information Technology (OIT)-run data centers supporting state agencies, and currently runs on 30-year-old electrical circuitry. In order to provide continued operations as well as allow for future growth, the data center will be equipped with industry-standard critical facility power distribution and cooling, along with upgrades to the fire detection and prevention system and physical security systems. This will all translate into long-term benefits:
- Energy efficiency will result in lower costs to operate the data center.
- Improved customer experience due to a reduction in the number of planned outages for maintenance.
- A scalable floor plan that will allow for the addition of new equipment as well as the ability to easily power down equipment that is not in use.
Below is information on CBMS and Trails Command Centers:
CBMS Command Center
There will be two CBMS Command Centers in support of the Lakewood Data Center outages. The Google Meet line will take place both Monday, Oct. 5, and Monday, Oct. 12, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. for counties, Medical Assistance Sites and Presumptive Eligibility Sites to ask questions regarding issues experienced following the Lakewood Data Center outages. A Status Update Call will also be held Oct. 5 and Oct.12 at 12 p.m. on the Command Center Google Meet line scheduled for that day. If you would like to call in to the Command Center or the Status Update Calls, please use the information below:
Monday, Oct. 5
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Phone: (636) 400-7194
PIN: 545 555 158#
Monday, Oct. 12
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Phone: (510) 945-0193
PIN: 913 738 867#
Trails Command Center
There will be two Trails Command Centers in support of the Lakewood Data Center outages. The Google Meet line will take place both Monday, October 5, and Monday, Oct. 12 from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. for Trails users to ask questions regarding issues experienced following the Lakewood Data outages. A Status Update Call will also be held Oct. 5 and Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. on the Command Center Google Meet line scheduled for that day. If you would like to call into the Trails Command Center or the Trails Status Update Calls, please use the information below:
Monday, Oct. 5 and Oct. 12
7 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Phone: (307) 461-9960
PIN: 294 518 391#
Communication will be going out through all end user channels as well, but please share this with all appropriate staff. For more information on the outage, contact Rita DeFrange or Loni Clark.
|
|
Recent Memo Series Issued to Counties |
|
IM 20-038
This memo informs county and eligibility site workers that there is a new member-facing mobile application called Health First Colorado, which replaces the PEAKHealth app.
|
|
Non Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) Resources |
|
NEMT is a Health First Colorado benefit for members who don't have transportation to medical appointments. NEMT was previously administered by different vendors in different parts of the state, but soon NEMT will be the same in all areas of the state.
Printable Resources
Provided by the Department:
Provided by IntelliRide:
|
|
Connect for Health Colorado:
Enrollment Kits
|
|
With just over a month and a half until Open Enrollment (OE), our OE Kick-Off Kits are ready to be distributed to you at no cost! As a reminder, individuals, families and small businesses can sign up for a health insurance plan and apply for financial help through Connect for Health Colorado from Nov. 1, 2020 to Jan.15, 2021
(Those losing job-based health insurance and experiencing other Life Change Events may have 60-days to enroll now and do not have to wait for OE).
Given the circumstances of this year, it is especially important we make sure as many Coloradans have coverage as possible. Share our materials with the communities you serve to help increase access to affordable health insurance and get Colorado covered for the year!
Please reach out to Linda Gann if you would like an OE Kick-Off Kit mailed to you. The kits are free, and we’ll mail it right to your door in mid-October.
Open Enrollment Kits include:
- Connect for Health Colorado overview brochures.
- Posters highlighting key Open Enrollment deadlines.
- Financial help charts that provide easy reference for whether a family may qualify for Medicaid or financial help through Connect for Health Colorado.
- Rack cards connecting folks to the Marketplace after job loss and promoting Life Change Events.
- Your name and your organization’s name (or a contact person if the kit should go to someone other than yourself).
- The address to mail the Open Enrollment Kick-off kit.
Supporting Virtual Outreach: Redesigned Electronic Materials
We currently provide materials in English and Spanish. You can order materials for no cost any time during the year by visiting our Online Store and creating an account or logging in. This year, we are redesigning the electronic versions of our materials. The new, electronic versions of our materials will provide enhanced viewing on a screen and better promote Open Enrollment awareness in a virtual world.
All electronic materials will be available for download in our online store, as well as in an online toolkit that will allow you to download the pieces more easily or send them to Coloradans searching for health coverage. These new electronic versions will be available in mid-October. Stay tuned for more information about their release and about our OE online toolkit!
|
|
As you know, many Coloradans have recently lost their jobs and their health care coverage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Department is expecting a surge in the number of Coloradans eligible for our programs as the pandemic continues. We want to be sure people are aware of how to apply for the health care coverage options our Department administers and we’re hoping you can help us spread the word through your channels.
We have created educational materials and resources on our webpage, Here for YOU, Colorado! This page contains shareable content for websites, social media, emails and newsletters. The goal of our Here for YOU, Colorado! campaign is to spread the word about applying for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+).
We also have fresh content monthly featuring Coloradans who get their health care coverage through our programs, under “Ads” in the "For Coloradans Who Need Health Insurance" section of the webpage. September's featured member is Jocelyn.
|
|
Hospital Transformation Program (HTP) Update |
|
HTP Implementation Update
At the Aug. 25, 2020 Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise (CHASE) Board meeting, the board voted to revise the implementation of the HTP until February 2021. More information about the change can be found in a memo from the Department.
Hospital Workgroup meetings update
In light of the recent guidance provided by CHASE and the decision to reschedule the implementation of the HTP program to February 2021, we are currently working to revise our project timelines and strategy. Additionally, we are planning on engaging with the Community Advisory Council at the end of September to discuss opportunities for bringing an equity focus within the HTP, in accordance with the CHASE board's recommendation.
As such, we have decided to hold off on convening the September workgroup meetings while we focus on the changes needed for the program, operations development and engagement with the Community Advisory Council. Our next hospital workgroup meetings will be held on Thursday, Oct. 22. In the interim, we will provide updates on progress and additional information about the October meeting agenda via email. We look forward to reconvening these workgroups in October as we work to set you and the program up for success when we launch in February.
|
|
Public Rule Review Meeting |
|
Public Rule Review meetings are an opportunity for stakeholders to have one-on-one conversation with the Department's rule author regarding draft rules.
Public Rule Review meetings take place on the second Monday after the second Friday of each month. Stakeholders can attend in person or can e-mail feedback to the rule author before the rule goes to the Medical Services Board (MSB).
This does not take the place of public testimony at the MSB meeting and anyone who wishes is invited to come to the meeting to address the Board directly.
|
|
County Grants & County Incentives Programs |
|
FY 2020-21 County Incentive Program
-
The Department launched a County Cyber Security webpage, where you can find:
- Reference documents
- Meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, and recordings
- Frequently Asked Questions
|
|
Competitive Grants
- Meetings to discuss Q1 of the grant program will occur in October.
|
|
Timeliness for August 2020 |
|
Timeliness for all Medical Assistance applications was measured at 98.54 percent.
|
|
Timeliness for all Medical Assistance redeterminations was measured at 99.37 percent.
|
|
Department Contacts & Resources |
|
About the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing: The Department administers Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program), Child Health Plan Plus and other programs for Coloradans who qualify. For more information about the Department, please visit Colorado.gov/hcpf.
STAY CONNECTED
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
