ASAP: More on CPHP; plus register for the 150th CMS Annual Meeting, honor moms through September blood drives and more

ASAP e-newsletter: Aug. 25, 2020

CPHP submits formal appeal to DORA

The Colorado Physician Health Program is still fighting to remain Colorado's provider of physician peer health assistance services. The latest development is that CPHP submitted a formal appeal to the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The appeal goes to the executive director of the personnel and administration department – Kara Veitch, JD, MBA, who heads the procurement and contracts department. She denied in early August CPHP’s original protest that asked the state to reconsider the request for proposal (RFP) conditions and basis for awarding the peer assistance contract for physicians to Peer Assistance Services (PAS). Now she can make a determination on the appeal solo, request and hold a hearing, or refer a request for hearing to the Office of Administrative Courts. She must make a decision by Sept. 30. During the appeal process, the award of the contract is stayed, meaning CPHP continues to provide physician peer assistance services for Colorado doctors. CPHP is working with community partners to promote additional messaging and action steps.

Friday, Sept. 25, 6-8 p.m.

The Colorado Medical Society will present the 150th CMS Annual Meeting the evening of Friday, Sept. 25. As 2020 is a year like no other, the meeting is shortened and virtual -- and scrub pants are welcome! -- but it remains our signature celebration of you and your colleagues. Those who have joined us for in-person meetings will recognize some things from previous years: the swearing in of a new CMS president and the recognition of members’ notable achievements. And some things will be totally new (and lots of fun): games, prizes and perhaps a surprise guest or two. The entire event is free for CMS members to attend. Register today! Special thanks to presenting sponsor, COPIC!

Plus -- don't forget to share a photo or two with CMS CEO Bryan Campbell, for CMS to include in a slideshow that will feature what our members are passionate about: you and your tremendous team, family or friends, beautiful Colorado or something completely unique! We want to see the faces of our members as we celebrate the amazing feats you have all accomplished in this unprecedented year. Email them to bryan_campbell@cms.org.

Volunteer opportunity: CMS supports Donate for Mothers Blood Drive in September

The Colorado Medical Society encourages all physicians to participate in the Donate for Mothers Colorado-born blood donation campaign by volunteering with the drive at several locations and dates throughout September, scheduling a blood donation or sharing this donation opportunity with your patients. Donate for Mothers' mission is to increase blood donation in honor of mothers and obstetric complications. Donation events are coordinated through Vitalant, formerly Bonfils, a nonprofit community blood service provider and a donation organization for convalescent plasma in the fight against COVID-19. View more information and available dates here for the cities of Boulder, Lafayette, Denver, Colorado Springs, Lakewood, Aurora, Lone Tree or any Vitalant donation center in the month of September. Volunteer opportunities are available; contact Donate4Mothers@gmail.com for more information. Read more about Donate for Mothers here.

HCPF offers incentives to increase Medicaid provider enrollment

The impact of COVID-19 is causing an increase in demand for safety net programs and a concurrent decrease in available state funds, which led the Joint Budget Committee to initiate a 1 percent across the board reduction to Medicaid provider rates. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is now offering the following incentives to increase Health First Colorado (Medicaid) provider enrollment to help ensure all Coloradans have access to quality health care during this public health crisis:

Allowing temporary enrollment for providers during the federally designated COVID-19 emergency.
Waiving the application fee and fingerprinting process for applicable providers.
Waiving site surveys for applicable providers.

Physicians interested in becoming a Health First Colorado provider should visit the Provider Enrollment website at co.gov/hcpf/provider-enrollment or call the Provider Services Call Center at 1-844-235-2387, option 2, then option 5.

Need PPE? Order through CMS partner ActionPPE

The Colorado Medical Society has teamed up with ActionPPE.org to give CMS members access to medical-grade PPE supplies. All items are already in a warehouse in the United States, preventing any delays through customs, and orders ship quickly and directly to your office. View product details and certificates for KN95 or disposable tri-fold masks, disposable gowns and face shields here -- actionppe.org/3/cms/ -- and share this link with your colleagues.

State launches new COVID-19 data portal

Gov. Jared Polis and state epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy, MD, MPH, unveiled a new enhanced online data tool for COVID-19. View the new site here. Among other improvements, it features a new data dashboard, demographic information on hospitalized patients and outbreak data.

Reminder: Last call to vote in the Colorado Medical Society Leadership Election - deadline is Aug. 31

Thanks to all the physician members who have voted in the 2020 Colorado Medical Society Leadership Election. If you haven't, you can also access the ballot by direct link here; if using the direct link, you must enter your name and email address at the bottom so it is counted. Read more about the candidates on the election page of CMS.org. If you have questions about the voting process, don't hesitate to reach out.

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Upcoming events for physicians

AAP Colorado virtual program: Honoring Our Diversity

Aug. 26, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

The American Academy of Pediatrics - Colorado Chapter (AAP Colorado) presents the final session in their four-part mental health wellness series that acknowledges the importance of taking time to reflect upon issues critical to physicians and your profession. Join for this session even if you haven't attended others; each component of the series is designed as a standalone program. Decorated speaker Nita Mosby Tyler, MD, chief catalyst and founder of The Equity Project, presents "Honoring Our Diversity" on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. Find more information and register here.

HCPF Provider Leader Webinars

Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17, 12-1 p.m.

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is hosting monthly provider webinars on the third Thursday of the month from 12 - 1 p.m. The virtual meeting will be held at this link. The dates for the remaining 2020 provider webinars are Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. State leaders will cover key updates from the department on COVID-19 and other implementation updates, and will be a forum to discuss the "new normal" in health care following the pandemic. Those unable to attend can find an archive on the Provider Leader Resource Center webpage.

Colorado Consortium lunch and learn sessions

Wednesdays May-October, 12:30-1:15 p.m.

The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention’s Provider Education work group continues their series of free lunch-and-learn sessions Wednesdays through October from 12:30-1:15 p.m. The next event will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 26. The talk will be Benzos: Boon or Blunder, presented by Steven Wright, MD.

Each presentation is eligible for 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. You must pre-register here to receive CME credit; this link also takes you to each program's individual accreditation statement, objectives and disclosures. If you’d simply like to drop-in and not receive CME credit, no pre-registration is required. The 45 minute sessions will include a didactic session followed by Q&A. For a complete list of topics and dates, please visit the consortium website. All sessions will be held via Zoom: link / password: 620980. Programs are recorded and posted online for future viewing.

Consortium's Virtual Provider Education Symposium

Oct. 21, 2020

The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention will present their third annual Provider Education Symposium on Oct. 21, 2020, in a virtual format. Topics covered will be racial inequality and health care; COVID-19 and its impacts on SUD; self-care for front-line workers; methamphetamine epidemic and the fentanyl epidemic; and reproductive health considerations for women with SUD. Save the date; more information coming soon.