At a Glance is a Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (Department) publication that provides information on major initiatives, policy changes and program updates. Feel free to share At a Glance with your colleagues. Find previous editions of At a Glance on the Department website at colorado.gov/hcpf/publications. Thank you for your interest!
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A Message from the Executive Director |
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The team at HCPF wants you to know that we are here for you during the COVID-19 pandemic! During the COVID-19 public health emergency, HCPF will likely serve more than 2 million Coloradans at some point - about ⅓ of the population - while serving nearly 1.4 million members this calendar year. This coverage provides access to affordable care and greater peace of mind during this incredibly difficult time.
The federal government has extended the public health emergency through at least Oct. 25, and may extend it further. That means members whose coverage has been extended through the public health emergency under the Continuous Coverage provision are covered until at least Oct. 31, 2020. We have asked our federal partners for at least two months' notice so we can provide as much notice as possible to our members whose coverage or benefits may be changing and to the counties and Medical Assistance Sites who process eligibility redeterminations. As we mentioned last month, some new co-pays will go into effect following the end of the public health emergency period, but not until we receive federal approval and not before January 2021.
The Department recently partnered with Connect for Health Colorado and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Unemployment Insurance Division on a health coverage survey to find out where individuals who have lost their jobs are getting health coverage. I’d like to share with you some of the results and ask for your help as we try to keep Coloradans connected to health coverage during this global pandemic. One of the key findings was that 19.33% of respondents did not have health coverage and that 46% of those also responded that they plan to stay uninsured. Those are worrisome statistics at any time, but are especially concerning during a pandemic!
We appreciate your help reaching and messaging to Colorado’s uninsureds to connect them to coverage. Feel free to use the resources available at CO.gov/hcpf/HereForYou.
In other Department news, we are also very excited that our non-emergent medical transportation (NEMT) benefit has officially launched statewide. You can learn more at healthfirstcolorado.com/nemt.
Also, we invite you to watch for the new and improved Health First Colorado mobile app launching Aug. 30 with a new look and feel, and exciting new features! The app is for Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members, and replaces the PEAKHealth app. Members can download the new app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and will need a PEAK account login to use the new app. We made these changes in response to our members’ feedback, and members were involved in the design process.
Over the coming months, we will share our members’ stories with you. They are truly inspiring and speak to the importance of our programs. Take a minute to be inspired! Here is Beth's story of how Health First Colorado has helped her and her son thrive.
Last, we are social distancing and wearing our masks in public as Governor Jared Polis has asked; thank you for joining us in setting the example for others to follow to keep our fellow Coloradans healthy, especially as kids head back to school. We are all in this together! You can learn more at covid19.colorado.gov. Stay safe and healthy, and thank you for all you do to support our Department and those we serve. We are deeply appreciative of the partnership we share.
Kim
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Senate Bill 19-195: Enhancing Children and Youth Behavioral Health Services:
The Colorado General Assembly made the difficult decision to eliminate funding in the 2020-21 fiscal year for Senate Bill (SB) 19-195. The bill authorized the Department to 1) design and recommend an Integrated Funding Pilot to address the challenges of fragmentation and duplication of behavioral health services; and 2) implement a high fidelity wraparound benefit for eligible children and youth. An amendment to the statute, House Bill (HB) 20-1384 now makes those requirements subject to available appropriations, so the Department cannot move forward with these projects.
The Department will continue to engage stakeholders through existing projects that align with the overarching goals of SB 19-195, including the development of a statewide system of care for all children, youth and families that reduces fragmentation and duplication, and to address the unique needs of children, youth and families who are involved in multiple systems or have complex needs. Our continued partnership with the Regional Accountable Entities and our state partners will focus on improving care and access for this unique population.
Please submit any remaining questions or comments through our online form, which will remain active until July 1, 2021. If you would like to stay informed about the work of the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) in relation to SB 19-195 and other behavioral health initiatives, sign up for the OBH newsletter, visit their blog or email Andrew Gabor.
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Non-Emergent Medical Transportation Update:
Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) is a Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) benefit for members who don't have transportation to medical appointments. NEMT used to be administered by different vendors in different parts of the state, but is now administered by IntelliRide throughout Colorado. 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.
All mileage reimbursements for trips after July 1 should be submitted to IntelliRide regardless of when your county transitioned.
Contact IntelliRide at 1-855-489-4999 or 303-398-2155 (State Relay: 711) for more information, or email them at NEMT@state.co.us.
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Here for YOU, Colorado!
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. August’s featured member is Steve.
Thank you for helping us spread the word!
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Resources for Maternity Care Providers:
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Helping Uninsured Coloradans:
Many Coloradans have recently lost their jobs and their health care, and they may not know about all their options. Please help by sharing the information below with your partners and through your communication channels.
Any Coloradan who needs health care coverage should apply for Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) and CHP+.
- Applications can be submitted any time of the year--there is no enrollment period for Health First Colorado and CHP+.
- No one should assume they don't qualify--there are different eligibility categories for different situations. The only way to know for sure is to apply!
- Anyone can apply online at Co.gov/PEAK or by phone at 1-800-221-3943 (Press "1" for phone applications).
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More information for applicants is on our website.
Thank you for helping us spread the word!
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Resources for Coloradans Impacted by COVID-19:
Onwardco.org can help connect Coloradans with services, funds and jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This resource is the result of collaboration with the Governor's Office, state agencies, community partners and Bitwise Industries. Please visit the website and share with anyone who is struggling, or may need the help: Onwardco.org.
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Electronic Visit Verification Listening Sessions:
Department staff will be available for a drop-in session to answer stakeholder
questions about Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) implementation twice a month.
EVV listening sessions are an informal opportunity for stakeholders to bring questions to the Department about their EVV implementation. No new policy or technical processes will be announced in these listening sessions. New information will be discussed in the general stakeholder meeting and published on the EVV website.
Future EVV listening sessions will be on the first Thursday of the month and then
Thursday following the general stakeholder meeting.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request for persons with
meeting to make arrangements.
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