This Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (the Department) newsletter is designed to inform county directors, management and staff about high-impact updates, important changes, county performance, new guidance, and program changes.

During this first quarter of 2022, the Department will continue to pursue initiatives that achieve its mission to improve health care access, equity and affordability for the one in four Coloradans we cover while delivering value to all Coloradans.

Our 2022 legislative agenda is a great example. It proposes to:

In addition to our legislative agenda, the Department has been actively engaged at every level of the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force to determine how

to best invest the $450 million in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funding

to improve access, equity and the delivery of behavioral health care services across Colorado. Comprised of legislators, executive branch representatives and diverse behavioral health practitioners and experts, the Task Force came to unanimous consensus on all funding recommendations and allocations, now available in the

Jan. 31 recommendations report. Look for legislation this session that turns these recommendations into action.

Also on the behavioral health front, and to achieve our goal of increasing access to behavioral health providers serving Health First Colorado members, we released a mailing in collaboration with the Department of Regulatory Affairs encouraging behavioral health providers to join our network. Behavioral health providers not currently in our network are invited to visit our Provider Enrollment website for more information on how to enroll. As well, the Department is continuing its work on four workstreams to improve the performance, accountability and partnership with the state’s Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs), which are a pillar within our behavioral health safety net system. This includes modernizing our cost reports and our payment models, implementing universal contracts that hold the Department and the CMHCs more accountable, and reducing administrative burden.

In addition to modernizing our CMHC payment models, our fiscal year 2022-2023 budget

proposes broader, meaningful investments into value-based payments (R-6), which enable us to better reward value in care delivery – like closing disparities, enhancing member health or improving affordability. We look forward to partnering with and rewarding providers who help achieve shared goals to the betterment of the Coloradans we jointly serve.

On Jan. 27, we presented to the House and Senate Committees of Reference at the

Department’s SMART Act hearing, including an overview of environmental challenges and opportunities, priorities, regulatory and legislative agendas, and budget requests. We also invite you to review our annual report to hear directly from our members and to learn more about the Department.

On behalf of our passionate Department staff and leadership, we thank you for your partnership in delivering improved health care access, equity and affordability to Health First Colorado and to all Coloradans.

The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing implemented a new redetermination process for all Health First Colorado and CHP+ members in the 2022 February CBMS build. The first step of the new renewal process will begin in March 2022. The new renewal process consists of several steps and includes new renewal packets a member may receive and will be required to sign and return for the renewal process to be considered complete.

Eligibility workers, supervisors and anyone who has direct member contact are required to take the webinar or web-based Renewal Revamp project training by March 31, 2022.

It is time to “Register” and “Save the Date” for one of the instructor-led webinar sessions that will provide an overview of the new renewal packet and process. Once a session is selected in COLearn, you will find the Zoom link listed in the “View Training Details” for each session.

If you are unable to attend an instructor-led webinar training session, a self-guided online session (Web-Based Training) is available for registration in COLearn.

Self-guided online Web-based Training sessions will be offered through March 31, 2022.

Please register for a session in COLearn.

The Renewal Revamp resource materials linked below are on the Department’s website on the Training Topics, Reference Documents and Guides page in the “Renewal of Eligibility” section.

Contact: hcpf_medicaid.eligibility@state.co.us

Nearly a quarter of Coloradans miss out on valuable tax credits that can help them take care of themselves and the people they love. The Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) were expanded in 2021, making more Colorado families eligible. Filers can receive up to $3,600 for each child ages 6-17 living in their household, and do not need any earnings to qualify.

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.

All Memos and their attachments are on the Memo Series website.

The Department's annual report is now available. This report illustrates the many ways we serve Coloradans and includes videos in our members’ own words. We invite you to review it and celebrate all that we accomplished together this past year.

Effective Dec. 23, 2021, the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (Department) suspended new enrollments into InnovAge Colorado’s PACE program following numerous regulatory violations and non-compliance with the Department’s provider contract. The moratorium on new enrollments will remain in effect until InnovAge Colorado completes a Corrective Action Plan to the satisfaction of the Department and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

For more information visit the PACE webpage.

Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) began paying for at-home COVID-19 tests for members in January. Each enrolled Health First Colorado member can get up to 15 free at-home tests per month from pharmacies that serve Health First Colorado. Each enrolled CHP+ member can receive up to eight tests per month. There is no out of pocket cost or co-pays for Health First Colorado or CHP+ members. Health First Colorado and CHP+ will reimburse the pharmacies after members receive the free tests.

Due to the high demand, at-home tests have been in short supply and pharmacies are having a difficult time getting them from their suppliers. We encourage members to call the pharmacy ahead of time to see if they have the at-home tests in stock.

The federal government recently launched an online program where each household address can receive a maximum of four tests. This program is limited to a one-time order of four tests per household and they will arrive by U.S. mail usually within seven to 10 days.

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) also has an online program where Coloradans can order two tests per week. If you are interested in receiving multiple tests, you will need to reorder tests. Tests do not automatically ship on a recurring basis. Because of high demand, tests will usually arrive in two weeks. Health First Colorado does not manage the federal program or the CDPHE program.

Please visit the Health First Colorado webpage for more information on its coverage of the at-home test program, a list of enrolled pharmacies and FAQs that will be updated as new questions and information arise.

Driving to a COVID-19 test site is covered under the Non-Emergent Medical Transportation benefit. To request a ride or submit the mileage reimbursement form visit gointelliride.com/colorado.

Hello County Partners,

Technical Assistance meetings are scheduled to review new guidance based on the new county administration rules. During these meetings, the memo authors and other staff will be available to answer questions.

Below are the links to join. Any and all county staff are encouraged to attend.

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/deg-qzsy-dho

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 347-380-8578‬ PIN: ‪483 038 525‬#

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/deg-qzsy-dho

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 347-380-8578‬ PIN: ‪483 038 525‬#

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/deg-qzsy-dho

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 347-380-8578‬ PIN: ‪483 038 525‬#

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/deg-qzsy-dho

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 347-380-8578‬ PIN: ‪483 038 525‬#

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/deg-qzsy-dho

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 347-380-8578‬ PIN: ‪483 038 525‬#

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/deg-qzsy-dho

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 347-380-8578‬ PIN: ‪483 038 525‬#

Please reach out if you have any questions, Jaina Krider.

In March 2022 a new redetermination process for all Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members will be implemented. The new process will be called “renewal” because member feedback shows “renewal” was more understandable than “redetermination” for most members surveyed.

Renewal is a case review that happens at least every 12 months to determine whether Health First Colorado and CHP+ members will continue to qualify for benefits. The new process and packet were created to make it easier for members to navigate and complete, and to make sure the process and packet adhere to federal regulations.

Many different stakeholders and Health First Colorado and CHP+ members helped the Department create the new language and layout for the new renewal forms and process. In the new process, the head of household must sign a signature page as part of the renewal paperwork they complete. This is a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirement.

County workers and other assisters will have training opportunities to help guide them through the new packet and processes.

For more information, see the Renewal Revamp presentation, workbook and FAQ on our Eligibility Partner Trainings webpage or view the Renewal Guidance for Medical Assistance Memo.

Connect for Health Colorado is offering a Special Enrollment Period now through March 16 to those who have been impacted by the Marshall Fire or the current surge of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Coloradans can still sign up for a health insurance plan and apply for financial help through Connect for Health Colorado for 2022 if they:

Free, virtual and in-person help signing up is available from our certified Connect for Health Colorado enrollment experts located throughout the state. If anyone in the community you assist needs help, you can refer them to one of our experts to ensure they get the right health insurance coverage and financial help. Visit

https://connectforhealthco.com/enrollment-center/ to find assistance in your area.

Thank you for being a great partner and helping keep Colorado covered. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time for anything at jsmith@c4hco.com.

There’s something new that Coloradans can look forward to when filing their 2021 state tax return—an opportunity to enroll in free or low-cost health coverage.

Thanks to a new state law, starting January 2022, residents can mark on their Colorado tax return that they are uninsured and interested in finding out if they qualify for free or low-cost health coverage. With the simple act of checking a box, they opt-in for their information to be shared with Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s official health insurance marketplace.

From there, Connect for Health Colorado helps residents find out whether they qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or financial help with Connect for Health Colorado during a Special Enrollment Period.

We are calling on our partners in Colorado to spread the word. As a trusted resource in your community, you have the opportunity to help bring health coverage to thousands of uninsured residents. As you’re assisting your community this tax season, please guide those who are uninsured and interested in learning more about free and affordable health coverage options to check the box on their tax return indicating interest in the new program.

Once they’ve checked the box, there’s no requirement to apply for health coverage or risk that their information will be used for any other purposes. Connect for Health Colorado is here to help residents start-to-finish with the application process, and we provide free enrollment assistance around the state.

The toolkit can be found at: https://c4h.co/TaxTimeToolkit

Within this toolkit you will find:

As a reminder you need to download the brochure in order for the interactivity features to work online. The Spanish version of the Tax Time Enrollment brochure will be added in the next couple of weeks, and both the English and Spanish print versions are available for order in our online store at no charge when you create an account.

Thank you for being a great partner and helping keep Colorado covered. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time for anything at jsmith@c4hco.com.

On Jan. 18, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the availability of $13 million in funding to increase access to behavioral health care services and address health inequities in rural America, including through evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment for substance use disorder.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused behavioral health challenges for Americans of all ages and backgrounds,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “This investment is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to address the inequities that still exist surrounding behavioral health and advance care in rural America. It will support comprehensive behavioral health prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery interventions in rural communities—furthering the goals of our new overdose prevention strategy.”

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.

“Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic must include meeting the behavioral health needs of individuals experiencing substance use disorder,” said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. “In rural areas, accessing the care and services to address these needs can be a particular challenge. The funding we are announcing today is directly targeted to the community needs of rural areas and will help expand access to behavioral health services to meet these needs.”

Since 2018, the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program—a multi-year initiative administered by HRSA—has provided over $400 million in direct grants and technical assistance to rural communities addressing behavioral health care challenges, including substance use disorder. To date, the initiative has expanded access to substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services in over 1,500 counties nationwide, with RCORP grant recipients serving over 2 million individuals in rural communities in fiscal year 2020.

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 p.m., 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 https://www.hhs.gov/overdose-prevention/.

The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to improving health outcomes and promoting health equity in rural America. In 2021, thanks to the American Rescue Plan (ARP), the Department of Health and Human Services has invested over $16 billion to strengthen rural health. Read the Fact Sheet on HHS Investments to Strengthen Rural Health - PDF.

Sign up to get the Department's latest newsletter highlighting Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Legislation. The new monthly publication will offer updates, information, and stakeholder engagement opportunities related to SB 21-194, SB 21-009, SB 21-025, SB 21-016 and SB 19-195, the Maternal Opioid Misuse Grant, and the Maternal Advisory Committee.

Don't miss out; register today by emailing HCPF_HPO_Comms@state.co.us and requesting placement of the distribution list. In the meantime, check out the Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health webpage for the latest information. 

HCPF submitted a budget request (R-8) for FY 2022-23 that attempts to address county and state concerns regarding funding and oversight. Please see this presentation

and the FY 2022-23 Budget Agenda Summary for more information.

Timeliness for all Medical Assistance applications was measured at 95.86%.

Timeliness for all Medical Assistance redeterminations was measured at 95.68%.