Feb. 5, 2021
COVID-19 Updates
Logo for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
Artistic rendition of the Coronavirus
Thank you for serving Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members.
The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (the Department) knows providers, case managers and county and eligibility partners have many questions about the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its impact on our programs. We are sharing updates on emergency policies, COVID-19 specific billing codes and other important information on our website at colorado.gov/hcpf/covid and through this and other newsletters.

The information in this newsletter provides a summary of COVID-19 guidance for Health First Colorado and CHP+ providers, Regional Accountable Entities, case managers, counties and other eligibility partners. Some audiences may receive audience specific guidance through other Department newsletters; this newsletter is a roundup of all of those communications in one place.

Providers: Please sign up for general updates, including COVID-19 information, on the Provider News webpage.

County and Eligibility Partners: Please sign up for County Connections and the HCPF Memo Series.

Statewide Resource: OnwardCO - One-stop resource for the people of Colorado impacted by job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For comprehensive public health information about COVID-19 in Colorado, refer to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) website. This website includes information for the general public and special resources for health care providers on patient evaluation, testing, personal protective equipment and many more topics.

Provider Leader Resource Center: Provider Leader Resource Center has been added to the Department COVID-19 website. This page contains content from prior and upcoming webinars for Provider Association Leaders and their members, as well as information for providers about member and provider recruitment. The Department is asking associations partner with us to recruit more health care providers to serve our more than 1.3 million current members and the more than 500,000 new members we expect to enroll by the end of this year. More information can be found on the Here For You, Colorado page.

Add your phone to fight COVID-19: An app to help fight COVID-19 is now available for download. CO Exposure Notifications will quickly send notifications if virus exposure is likely within the last 14 days, allowing the ability to seek timely medical attention and take action to protect others. The app is free and does not share personal information. Visit AddYourPhone.com to watch a short video about how it works and how to turn it on with Apple or Android devices.
Information for Health First Colorado and CHP+ Providers and Case Managers
Provider Rates & Fee Schedule
 
Long-Term Services and Supports COVID-19 FAQs
  • The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding COVID-19 for case managers, home and community-based services, nursing facility, intermediate care facilities (ICF) and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) providers was updated on Jan. 11. To access the FAQ, go to the Dept. COVID-19 Long-Term Services and Supports COVID-19 Response website and scroll down to the “Long-Term Services and Supports COVID-19 FAQs” section.

COVID-19 Vaccine Rate Update

Public Health Emergency (PHE)

Guidance Memos
  • Information Memo (IM) 21-006: HCBS Waiver Amendments Approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)- Issued 1/21/21.
  • IM 21-004: Department of Health Care Policy & Financing Update to Providers Regarding COVID-19 and Vaccination- Issued 1/15/21.
  •  IM 21-003: Postponed Day Habilitation Changes in Response to COVID-19- Issued 1/14/21.
  • Operation Memo (OM) 21-012: Operational Changes to the Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) Benefit for COVID-19- Issued 1/21/21.
  • OM 21-009: Changes to Benefits and Services Rates in Response to COVID-19- Issued 1/14/21.
  • OM 21-008: Second Temporary Provider Rate Increase for Nursing Facilities, Intermediate Care Facilities and Regional Centers Issued1/14/21.
 
Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) COVID-19 Webinars and Training
 
COVID-19 Training for Frontline Staff
  • The National COVID-Ready Caregiver Certificate Training Program for Frontline Staff
  • Training topics include:
  • Infection control practices.
  • Personal protective equipment.
  • Changes to health and safety practices.
  • Tips for managing stress and anxiety.
  • Available for frontline staff members - https://covidcert.nextstep.careers 
  • If you are unable to afford the training fee, please send an email to the Department’s Workforce inbox.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Providers
Thank you for all you are doing to keep Colorado safe during this pandemic. One in four Coloradans are Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members. As Coloradans seek out the COVID-19 vaccine, we need as many providers as possible enrolled to serve our 1.4 million members. Please encourage your colleagues to enroll by visiting our Provider Enrollment website or call 1-844-235-2387, option 2, then option 5.  

Health First Colorado will reimburse providers for members’ COVID vaccines. Details about reimbursement can be found on the Department’s COVID-19 website under the “COVID-19 Vaccination Information” section. In order to offer the vaccine to patients, providers need to enroll in the State’s vaccine program at covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine-providers.  
  
We need your help ensuring all your Health First Colorado patients get vaccinated. Do your part by letting our members know when you have the vaccine available for them or where they can get it if you don’t offer it. Let them know the cost is entirely covered. Reassure them that it’s safe to come to your office and remind them there is transportation available if they need it.   
 
Your patients trust information coming from you, even those who are hesitant to get vaccinated. Find more information on how to answer patient’s questions at covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine-providers. If a member requires additional support to get the vaccine, please contact the assigned Regional Accountability Entity (RAE). Contact info is available at on our website.   
 
Additionally, please encourage your staff to get their vaccines and refer them to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment for information on vaccine safety. You can get more information on which phase your staff should be vaccinated in and where at covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine.   
Information for County and Eligibility Partners
County and Eligibility Site Guidance
  • Executive Director and Eligibility Communications
  • Jan. 28 County COVID Locked-in Report Over-the-Shoulder Support Call: Webinar Recording - 1/28/21.

COVID-19 Memo Guidance for Eligibility Sites

In addition to the Department COVID-19 website, updates will continue to be sent out via existing channels such as the County Connections e-newsletter and the HCPF Memo Series too. Please sign up for these newsletters through the Department website.