In place of the Policy Advisory Council (PAC) update, the county team is using a newsletter in the style of County Connections to communicate critical information.
The content is designed for county human services directors and leadership.
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Letter from the Executive Director |
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County Partners,
Partnership Powers Policy
Thank you for your collaboration on advancing policies to improve health care equity, access and outcomes while saving people money on health care this legislative session. We appreciate the hard work of our elected officials, advocates, providers and stakeholders who brought passion, insights and expertise to create effective policy.
With your help, the Department was successful in passing our full legislative agenda to enhance telemedicine policy, build out a high performing cross-disability care coordination system, expand skilled nursing facilities where they are needed most, add remote supports for adults in home and community based services waivers, and expand our drug importation program as part of our broader affordability goals.
We are also pleased that bills the Department supported passed, including establishing the Behavioral Health Administration, Prescription Drug Affordability Board, State Health Equity Plan and the Colorado Option. We were also pleased to see the updates to the Governor's Office of Information Technology statutes to better drive technology efficiencies, the movement of regulatory authority to the Department to support better health care billing for indigent patients, and the package of maternity health bills.
Thank you, as well, to the nearly 800 stakeholders who helped inform the Department’s draft spending plan for the American Rescue Plan Act’s Home & Community Based Services enhanced federal match, which was submitted to the federal government in mid-June. We appreciate the 375 comments you sent and the 428 survey responses.
For Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program), legislation passed to allow us to also use American Rescue Plan Act funding to extend pregnancy-related and postpartum services for a full year and add secure transportation for those experiencing behavioral health crises.
Last, I want to ask for your continued help in closing the significant health disparities in vaccine uptake for our Health First Colorado members. We appreciate your collaboration, continued targeted outreach and community-based partnership.
Kim
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Accepting Applications for the Overflow Processing Center (OPC) |
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Thank you for your interest in the Overflow Processing Center (OPC) work. Here you can find:
Responses to the questionnaire are due by COB on Wednesday, July 21. Following the submission deadline, an evaluation committee will review the responses and make a recommendation to the Department and OPC workgroup. The Department anticipates a selection will be made and applicants will be notified by Friday, August 6.
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Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) Service Change Effective Aug. 1 |
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Last July, the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing expanded its contract with IntelliRide to manage all NEMT trip referrals, scheduling, and claims submission throughout the state. Local transportation providers and Health First Colorado members expressed concerns about the statewide approach shortly after its July 2020 implementation. The Department evaluated the feedback with IntelliRide and decided to restore the relationship between members and their local community transportation providers for those members outside IntelliRide's original nine-county service area. As a result, IntelliRide will no longer serve as the statewide broker for NEMT services effective Aug. 1, 2021.
IntelliRide will reduce its NEMT service area to its original nine-county region — Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties — effective Aug. 1, 2021. Therefore, effective Aug. 1, 2021:
- NEMT service in the 55 counties outside of IntelliRide’s nine-county region will return to local transportation providers.
- IntelliRide will no longer transfer NEMT trip requests for Health First Colorado members residing in any of the 55 counties outside of IntelliRide’s service area.
- These Health First Colorado members must contact a local transportation provider directly (rather than IntelliRide) to schedule travel Aug. 1, 2021, forward.
IntelliRide will continue to process mileage reimbursement claims for Health First Colorado members, no matter where they live in Colorado. IntelliRide will also continue scheduling air, train, and out-of-state travel for members statewide. Members should call IntelliRide at 1-855-489-4999 or 303-398-2155 (State Relay 711) or visit gointelliride.com/colorado/ for more information.
It is important to note that there will be no changes to NEMT service for Health First Colorado members living in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer or Weld County. Additionally, counties will not be required to take on additional work for this transition of service. However, the Department will provide counties a list of local transportation providers to support Health First Colorado members when they call county offices. Additional resources and information will be provided in future communications. Contact Ryan Dwyer with policy-related questions.
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Mental Health Parity Report |
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On June 1, the Department released the annual Mental Health Parity Report for State Fiscal Year 2020-2021, as required by Colorado Revised Statute section 25.5-5-421. The Department created this year’s annual report following the process for determining mental health parity compliance created by CedarBridge Group, the contractor selected to perform last year’s annual report. The report also includes findings from the external quality review audit providing an evaluation of Regional Accountable Entity and Managed Care Organization policies and procedures in operation. Additionally, the Department contracted with Myers and Stauffer to perform an independent assessment of the processes followed for the creation of the 2021 Mental Health Parity Report.
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Health and Human Services Launches Hotlines to Improve Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Disabilities |
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The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is now available to help people with disabilities find vaccination locations in their communities, assist callers with making vaccination appointments, and connect callers to local services – such as accessible transportation – to overcome barriers to vaccination. The hotline also can provide information and resources to answer questions and address concerns about the vaccines and can connect callers to information and services that promote independent living and address fundamental needs, such as food, housing, and transportation.
For more information, visit acl.gov/dial or call 888-677-1199.
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Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment: State begins outbound phone campaign to encourage vaccination |
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On Monday, June 21, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) began making outgoing phone calls to Colorado residents age 18 and older who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine. Callers will provide information about vaccination, help with scheduling appointments at local vaccine locations, and answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.
“I’m excited that Coloradans will have a new opportunity to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines to help them make informed decisions about their health,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, CDPHE. “It’s normal to have questions about COVID-19 vaccines. These outgoing calls will provide Coloradans with accurate information and help them find a free vaccination appointment in their neighborhood if they choose to be protected from COVID-19.”
The calls will be completed by COVAXCO, the call center that has been answering inbound calls about COVID-19 vaccination in Colorado. Information will be available in multiple languages. Coloradans can continue to call the inbound vaccine hotline at 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926). The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Additionally, CDPHE will send text and email notifications to people between the ages of 18 and 29 years old who may be overdue for their second COVID-19 vaccine. CDPHE previously sent similar messages to people over the age of 30.
Text messages will be sent from a text recipient: 45778 on June 22 and 25, and emails will originate from ColoradoDPHE@teletask.com on June 24 to notify people whose current records in the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) indicate they may be more than 42 days past their first dose. These messages will include information on how to find a vaccine provider to schedule a second vaccination.
These reminders will be sent in English and Spanish. Anyone who has additional questions after receiving a message can contact our COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 877-268-2926 that offers translation service in more than 100 languages.
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Hospital Transformation Program Update |
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Implementation Plan Template and Milestone Requirements
Hospitals participating in the HTP must submit an Implementation Plan detailing the strategies and steps they intend to take in implementing each of the intervention(s) outlined in their applications impacting the six program priority areas, as well as the quality measures across the five HTP Focus Areas. Implementation Plans must be submitted during the Implementation Submission Period (from Sept. 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2021) after approval of the hospital’s HTP application. Additional information about implementation plans, milestone requirements, interventions and timeline is in the Implementation Plan Template and Milestone Requirements document on the HTP website.
Application Review Oversight Committee
On April 1, implementation of the HTP kicked-off with the beginning of the application period, which ran through April 30. Applications are now undergoing a process of review and feedback, and a final review by the Application Review Oversight Committee. Additional details about the application review process and the Application Review Oversight Committee were shared via a Department memo on the HTP webpage.
Rural Support Fund Update
Pending approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HTP Rural Support Fund distributions will occur with Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise (CHASE) Board reconciliation beginning in August 2021.
Funding for rural support payments will be $12,000,000 annually for each of the five years of the HTP, equaling $60 million in total funding. For each qualified hospital, the annual payment is equal to $12,000,000 divided by the total number of qualified hospitals. HTP Year 1 funding of $12 million will be paid out evenly between August and September 2021.
Community Advisory Council
Community Advisory Council meetings continue to take place monthly with the next meeting taking place on Monday, June 21. Agendas, materials and notes from previous meetings are on the Community Advisory Council website.
CHASE Board meeting
The next Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise (CHASE) Board meeting will take place via Zoom (passcode: 059559) on Tuesday, June 23 at 3 p.m. Additional information about the board, as well as meeting materials, is on the CHASE Board website.
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Recent Memo Series Issued to Counties |
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OM 21-046
The purpose of this operational memo is to advise eligibility sites of the increase to the Community Spouse Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) and Shelter Allowance.
OM 21-045
The purpose of this memo is to inform eligibility sites of two new income interfaces implemented in the Colorado Benefits Management Systems (CBMS). The two new interfaces will verify earned income for the Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) programs.
OM 21-043
The purpose of this Memo is to provide guidance to Eligibility Sites regarding several
legislative changes to the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI)-based methodologies
used to determine eligibility for MAGI Medical Assistance Programs, in accordance with
1986 36B(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and 42 CFR 435.603(d)(1) These
changes stem from the following: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Pub. L. No. 115-97,
“TCJA”), The Bipartisan and Jobs Act (Pub. L. No. 115-123, “BBA”) and guidance
received from Centers for Medicaid & Medicaid Services (CMS).
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IM 21-039
This Informational Memo is intended to inform county human/social services directors of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing’s FY 2021-22 County Administration Allocation based on enhanced and non-enhanced Medicaid administration funding split.
IM 21-036
The purpose of this Informational Memo is to provide county Department of Human Service (DHS) agencies an update from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (Department) regarding the transition of two Single Entry Point (SEP) agencies and information regarding the new agencies that will be providing SEP services. Please see the accompanying chart for agency information.
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Department Contacts & Resources
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