County Connections Newsletter
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This Department of Health Care Policy & Financing newsletter is designed to inform county directors, management and staff about county performance, policy changes, process updates, upcoming due dates, and more
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Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) Statewide Expansion Update
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Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (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.
A transportation broker,
IntelliRide
, has provided nine counties' NEMT benefit in the state. On July 1, IntelliRide began expanding to serve the entire state's NEMT benefit. The process will be complete on August 1. Expanding IntelliRide across the state will help improve customer service. We will be better able to ensure more consistent, streamlined operations and improved access for members.
IntelliRide expansion details:
- There will be no changes in the nine counties already using IntelliRide (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties). Members who live in one of these counties should keep using their benefit as they have in the past.
- For other counties, IntelliRide will begin managing trips on either July 1 or Aug. 1. Visit CO.gov/HCPF/NEMT for a map and other details on your county's transition timeline.
- Anyone who lives in a county transitioning July 1 should contact IntelliRide for rides.
- Members in counties not transitioning until Aug. 1 should continue to contact the same provider they have been for trips occurring in July and call IntelliRide to schedule trips for Aug. 1 or later.
Trips already scheduled with another vendor should be transferred to IntelliRide. Members can call IntelliRide one week before the scheduled appointment to make sure the trip was transferred to IntelliRide. Please help us avoid long wait times for customers who have immediate trip needs--members and others should avoid calling to verify a trip that is more than a week away.
All mileage reimbursements for trips after July 1 should be submitted to IntelliRide regardless of when your county is transitioning.
Contact IntelliRide at 1-855-489-4999 or 303-398-2155 (State Relay: 711) for more information.
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Single Entry Point (SEP) Transitions
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The Department is currently transitioning five Single Entry Point (SEP) agencies, two were part of the Request for Proposals and three were part of an emergency procurement due to no longer wanting to provide SEP services.
The five agencies and their successors:
- Colorado Access transitioning to Rocky Mountain Human Services.
- Mesa County transitioning to Rocky Mountain Health Plans.
- San Juan Basin Public Health transitioning to Community Connections Inc.
- Central Mountain Options of Long Term Care transitioning to Starpoint.
- Conejos County transitioning to Costilla County.
The Department is working closely with all agency transition teams to ensure a smooth transition for all members. The Department and all agencies have weekly meetings to ensure everything is on track.
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Recent Memo Series Issued to Counties
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PM 20-004
The purpose for this policy memo is to communicate to eligibility sites about Continuous Enrollment due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic public health emergency.
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OM 20-068
The purpose of this Operational Memo is to provide guidance to county departments of human/social services (county) on the FY 2020-21 County Incentives Program Eligibility Performance Incentive.
OM 20-067
The purpose of this operational memo is to advise eligibility sites of the increase to the Community Spouse MMMNA and Shelter Allowance.
Please share this letter with all eligibility staff, supervisors and administrators that manage nursing facilities, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and other outside agencies as appropriate.
OM 20-065
The purpose of this Operational Memo is to provide guidance to county departments of human/social services (county) on the FY 2020-21 County Incentives Program Training and Quality Incentive
OM 20-064
The purpose of this Operational Memo is to provide guidance to county departments of human/social services (county) on implementation of the Continuous Eligibility Incentive as part of the FY 2020-21 County Incentives Program.
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IM 20-026
This Informational Memo is intended to inform county human/social services directors of the Department's FY 2020-21 County Administration Allocation based on enhanced and non-enhanced Medicaid administration funding split.
IM 20-023
The purpose of this Informational Memo is to provide county Department of Human Service (DHS) agencies an update from the Department regarding closure of five Single Entry Point (SEP) agencies and information regarding the agencies that will be replacing them. Please see accompanying chart for agency information.
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Health First Colorado Provider Recruitment
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HCPF Needs Your Help: Help Us Spread the Word!
The Department is asking for your help. We need your help spreading the word about our need for more Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) providers to deliver care to Coloradans.
We need more providers NOW to help treat the influx of new Health First Colorado members. We are asking you to help us by spreading the word to your network about our immediate need.
As a result of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department is asking health care providers to join us in ensuring all Coloradans have access to quality health care during this public health crisis by becoming a Health First Colorado provider.
Currently, the Department is offering incentives to increase provider enrollment and help provide an important public service. In an effort to increase provider enrollment, the Department is:
- Allowing temporary enrollment for providers during the federally designated COVID-19 emergency.
- Waiving the application fee and fingerprinting process for applicable providers.
- Waiving site surveys for applicable providers.
Key Health First Colorado Provider Benefits
- We Pay FAST: Health First Colorado pays faster than private payers, with claims paid weekly and deposited directly into a business account.
- Enrollment is Quick and Easy: Online enrollment means you can become a provider in just a few weeks.
- Quick Customer Service: Our Provider Services Call Center answers calls in less than two minutes on average and regional provider field representatives are available to assist you with more complex questions.
- Customize Your Patient Experience: As a Health First Colorado provider, you have full control of the number of Health First Colorado patients you see, as well and whether or not your practice is published in our online Provider Directory.
Why Become a Provider?
Becoming a Health First Colorado provider gives you the opportunity to improve the health and well-being of more than a million Coloradans. Health First Colorado is more than health insurance –- it is a vital public service, helping nearly a quarter of our state’s residents stay healthy or move toward better health.
If you know someone who might be interesting in becoming a Health First Colorado provider, please ask them to visit the Provider Enrollment website at
co.gov/hcpf/provider-enrollment
or call the Provider Services Call Center at 1-844-235-2387,
Option 2, then option 5.
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HCPF Email Encryption Change
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Due to a contractual change for state-wide encryption services, the Department will return to ProofPoint for email encryption instead of Zix on the evening of July 8, 2020.
For more information for how to access ProofPoint details, please refer to the
ProofPoint guide
.
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2020 Legislative Session Overview
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As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislature convened for an abbreviated session focused on finalizing the state budget and passing legislation to help the state recover from the impacts of the pandemic. The 2020 legislative session ended on June 15, 2020.
The Department would like to thank all legislators for their hard work this session. Brief overviews of
key bills
and
Long Bill provisions
impacting the Department are posted on the
Legislator Resource Center
.
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Hospital Transformation Program (HTP) Update
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Hospital Workgroup meetings
HTP hospital workgroups will be reconvening virtually on June 18 to discuss updated program components and the HTP portal development.
CHASE Board meeting
The next Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise (CHASE) Board meeting will take place
via webinar
on Tuesday, June 23 at 3 p.m. Additional information about the board, as well as meeting materials which will be posted before the meeting date, can be found on the
CHASE Board website
.
Community Advisory Council
A Community Advisory Council meeting will held on Friday, June 26. The agenda and previous meeting notes can be found on the
Community Advisory Council website
next week.
For additional information, we encourage stakeholders to visit
the HTP website
as well as read past editions of the HTP Newsletter and HTP communications in
our online archives
. Please contact
Courtney Ronner
, Hospital Relations and Communication Manager, with any questions.
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We’re Here for YOU, Colorado!
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As many Coloradans struggle with job loss resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) is here to keep Coloradans covered with health insurance through Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+).
As we anticipate more than 500,000 Coloradans will need coverage through our programs, it’s critical that Coloradans know they can apply at any time and it’s easy to do. Please help us spread the word.
We have prepared materials available at
CO.gov/hcpf/HereForYou
to make it easy for you to help us spread the word to Coloradans who need health care coverage, and to help us recruit more health care providers.
Thank you for helping us ensure all Coloradans have access to health care coverage during this public health emergency and beyond!
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Public Rule Review Meeting
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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.
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County Grants & County Incentives Programs
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FY 2019-20 County Incentive Program
New Resources
- Monthly Aggregate data for the Food Security Incentive be found on the County Admin webpage under "Incentives Program Data"
- March Case Maintenance Data reports have been posted to the County Admin webpage under "Incentives Program Data"
FY 2020-21 County Incentive Program
- FY 2020-21 County Incentives Contracts have been sent out for signatures! If your county has any questions, please contact Rahem Mulatu.
- The Training and Quality Incentive requires attendance at a quarterly quality check in, facilitated by the Department.
- At least one person per county must attend to earn this incentive
- Check-ins can be attended by quality assurance staff, trainers, supervisors, or other director designee.
- Please email Rahem Mulatu the contact information for your county participant by July 15, 2020.
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Competitive Grants
- FY 2020-2021 Grants have been awarded!
- The County Team will schedule a time with all grantees to discuss conditions of funding for each grant.
- First quarter check ins will be scheduled for August or September.
Targeted Grants
- Please submit June progress reports for the MA supervisor backlog project, or let the county team know if your supervisors did not work overtime on backlog in June.
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Timeliness for all Medical Assistance
applications
was measured at
95.05 percent
.
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Timeliness for all Medical Assistance
redeterminations
was measured at
99.03 percent
.
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Department Contacts & Resources
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Colorado Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing
(303) 866-2993 | 1570 Grant Street, Denver, CO 80203
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