This month, the Lt. Gov. and state agency leaders are discussing several timely policy priorities at our virtual Health Cabinet Policy Summit March 24 and 31, from 3-4:50 p.m. Topics include affordability, behavioral health transformation, pandemic to endemic & future readiness, and keeping Coloradans covered after the Public Health Emergency. At the summit, you’ll also hear more about our work to improve quality care and health equity for our members. As part of that, we are expanding our value-based payment models that reward providers for better patient outcomes, closing health disparities and driving affordability. This work spans the Hospital Transformation Program, maternity bundled payments, the Prescriber Tool, primary care and an exciting partnership to design the emerging Providers of Distinction program. At the summit, the Department will also release and review a Hospital Insights Report that synthesizes emerging hospital financial insights with key findings from several recent legislative reports while providing related policy considerations to address opportunities - register now. 

March is developmental disabilities awareness month. We invite you to join Department staff and leadership in celebrating the tremendous strides made in the last 35 years for those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly the improvements in access to important services that help people live a life that is meaningful and fulfilling to them. But we still have more work to do. The Department remains dedicated to partnering with members, their families, providers and the advocacy community to make A Colorado for All while advancing community services for Health First Colorado members living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Thank you again for all that you do to help provide the right care, that drives the right patient outcomes, for the right price. I look forward to seeing you virtually at the Health Cabinet Policy Summit.  

Please help us improve At a Glance by taking this quick survey. Your responses are confidential. The survey will be available through March 28. Thank you!

Individuals interested in submitting written comments can do so using this form. The form has been extended to be open until March 29. The purpose is to collect feedback from stakeholders; the Department will not be responding to submitted comments. 

For more information about parity, visit hcpf.colorado.gov/parity.

Have you signed up yet for the new Community First Choice (CFC) Newsletter? It's where you will find all the latest updates on project news, stakeholder engagement, and more! Stay up to date with CFC by signing up for the CFC updates Email List. For more information visit the CFC Webpage or email us.

Please register to join Lt. Governor Primavera, Health Cabinet executive directors and industry leaders for the Health Cabinet Policy Summit hosted by the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing – March 24, 3-4:50 and March 31, 3-4:50.

The full agenda is on our website: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/affordability. 

Help us reach individuals and families across the state, informing them about these and other tax credits, and helping them access free tax preparation services. Learn more and get access to our free campaign resources including brochures, social media content, and newsletter messages to help spread the word.

On Feb. 1, the Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) launched Test to Stay, an optional program to help students and staff continue in-person learning after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Test to Stay will provide another testing resource to help reduce the burden on students, staff and parents. 

Test to Stay is an optional program intended to help students and staff avoid quarantine for those who have school-associated exposures to COVID-19. 

For more information, visit the Test to Stay webpage.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 31, 2022. The Moderna vaccine has been available under emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 18 years of age and older since Dec. 18, 2020.

The COVID-19 Pfizer booster is approved for anyone 12 and older. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment encourages all Coloradans age 12 and up to get a booster dose as soon as possible if it has been at least six months since they got their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or at least two months since they got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

As a reminder, children ages 5-11 are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines and boosters are common practice in routine childhood vaccination. Many vaccines require multiple doses at specific intervals to be most effective. Anyone with questions about boosters is encouraged to speak with their health care provider.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and where to find them. Anyone who needs help making a vaccine appointment should call 1-877-268-2926. Health First Colorado members who need help finding a ride to get to a vaccine appointment can use the Non-Emergent Medical Transportation benefit.

HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy will make awards through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)—Behavioral Health Care Support. Eligible applicants include entities such as Rural Health Clinics, federally recognized tribes, tribal organizations, and community- and faith-based organizations.

Applicants can begin the RCORP-Behavioral Health Care Support application process on Grants.gov and must apply by Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 11:59 PM, ET. Visit the Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information.

For more information about efforts to address barriers to treatment for substance use disorder in rural areas, visit HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. To learn about the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy, visit hhs.gov/overdose-prevention/.