Starting September 2, 2021, primary care providers can receive grant funding ranging from up to $60,000 to $120,000 (depending on practice size) to support the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Click here for details on the COVID-19 Primary Care Vaccination Program and how to apply. 

On August 23rd, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave its full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for those 16 years of age and older. It was also announced that the Pfizer vaccine will be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee). The vaccine is still available for those 12 to 15 years old and for use as a booster for certain immunocompromised individuals under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization. While Comirnaty is the first to receive FDA full approval, all available COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe, effective, and authorized for emergency use against the virus. For more information, see the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment news release and/or the announcement from the Food and Drug Administration.

With this news, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in the demand for the vaccine. Please enroll with CDPHE to become a vaccine provider today!

In an effort to best organize and make readily available the wide array of health care provider vaccine resources, trainings and materials related to the COVID-19 vaccination program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment CDPHE has created the online Colorado COVID-19 Health Care Provider Vaccine Information Toolkit. The toolkit has a variety of robust elements. Please share!

To ensure all Coloradans have every opportunity to be fully vaccinated, the Colorado Joint Vaccine Task Force is joining the CDC in new guidance that advises that providers should not miss any opportunity to vaccinate every eligible person who requests a COVID-19 vaccination. Click here for more information.

Now that Colorado's vaccine supply is becoming readily available, more and more primary care physicians are beginning to administer vaccinations to their patient population. CDPHE created a communication toolkit for primary care doctors who can help encourage their patients to get vaccinated. 

Sunday, Oct. 3 through Saturday, Oct. 9

Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers. That is why each year, during the first week of October, NAMI and participants across the country raise awareness of mental illness, fight discrimination and provide support through Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW). We believe that mental health conditions are important to discuss year round, but highlighting them during MIAW provides a dedicated time for mental health advocates across the country to come together as one unified voice.

Below are infographics and facts sheets about the prevalence and impact of mental illness, provided by NAMI.

This observance brings awareness to the need for depression and mental health screenings. A number of different factors can often come into play with depression that can include a mix of environmental, genetic, psychological, and biological /biochemical components. Not everyone experiences depression in the same way, but it can affect anyone at any time. So, it is important to take that next step and seek out professional help and be screened if someone feels they may be depressed. Depression is a highly treatable condition with many different options available, but a professional should be sought out to help determine the best course of action for every individual that is suffering from it. Mental health screenings allow for early identification and intervention and help bridge the gap. Early identification and treatment leads to better outcomes. Early treatment may also lessen long-term disability and prevent years of suffering. Below are facts sheets and resources that are at hand.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States, behind skin cancer. An estimated 281,550 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in U.S. women in 2021, according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer accounts for 15 percent of all new cancer diagnoses and 7 percent of all cancer deaths each year. Finding breast cancer early and getting state-of-the-art cancer treatment are the most important strategies to prevent deaths from breast cancer. Breast cancer that’s found early, when it’s small and has not spread, is easier to treat successfully. Getting regular screening tests is the most reliable way to find breast cancer early. Below are educational resources and fact sheets.

The initial authorization mandatory minimums will be updated effective October 1, 2021. These are the minimum time frames to request an initial authorization. Please see the chart below. If you have any questions please call 888-502-4185 or 888-502-4189.

Effective October 1, 2021 the USCM will be updated. This document sets forth the requirements of billing procedure codes for behavioral health services covered by the Colorado Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) and the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH). Impactful changes are as follows:

It will be updated on the HCPF website on October 1. View the new updates and the document here under Behavioral Health Services.

The Prescriber Tool empowers providers with real-time information on prescription drug costs and affordable alternatives. The goals of the Prescriber Tool are to help improve patient health outcomes and service, reduce administrative burden for prescribers, improve prescription drug affordability for Coloradans, employers and the state, and support providers with value-based payments  that reward them for addressing the number one contributor to rising health care costs – rising prescription drug costs. 

·   Real-Time E-Prescribing: Prescribers can now send prescriptions electronically to pharmacies for Medicaid patients, increasing convenience and saving time for patients, prescribers and pharmacies.    

·   Real-Time Benefits Inquiry: Prescribers now have rapid insight into preferred medications from the Medicaid preferred drug list, empowering them with drug affordability and cost options.    

·   Real-Time Prior Authorization: Prescribers can now get rapid prior authorizations, reducing workload and avoiding manual entry, forms, faxes, lists and rework.  

Please visit The Prescriber Tool Project for more information.

This toolkit was created for anyone to use to spread the word that expanded tax credits can help lift up to 40% of Colorado families out of poverty. The toolkit contains English and Spanish language messages, a flyer for distribution in physical settings, and sample newsletter and text message content. Please share with your networks and families who could benefit from these new cash-back resources!

Visit the About the PDMP Program web page for more information about the PDMP Program.

Have questions? They are available to talk through your ideas and encourage you to connect with them before applying for funding. If you don’t already work with a program officer, please reach out by email at funding@coloradohealth.org or by phone at 303-953-3600, and be sure to note the county you work in and the focus area of interest.

Deadline for application is October 15, 2021. Here is the link to the opportunity.

The Beacon Quality team in collaboration with Medical, Clinical, Peers, Provider Relations and additional key stakeholders across the organization expanded our PCP toolkit online resource. The PCP toolkit is intended to support primary care clinicians by providing a quick guide to access behavioral health resources.  This toolkit is also beneficial for behavioral health providers and Beacon health plan partners. The toolkit is useful for managing populations with co-occurring disorders. The toolkit promotes an integrated healthcare approach encouraging whole person health by providing PCPs and other practitioners additional resources beneficial to clients, including screening tools. 

Click here to access the PCP toolkit online resource.

RAE ROUNDTABLE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH---2nd Fri of every month at 11am

Click here to join the webinar.

Visit the NHP website for details on previous calls.

NHP RAE ROUNDTABLE PRIMARY CARE MEDICAL PROVIDER--3rd Wed of every month at 12pm

Please click here to join the webinar:

Or By Telephone: 1- 669-900-6833---Webinar ID: 971 5387 1547---Passcode: 869908

Visit the NHP website for details on previous calls.

Beacon Colorado's Quality team will be hosting a documentation training for behavioral health and SUD providers.

Beacon hosts several provider geared webinars throughout the month that you may find helpful for staff and billing personnel. Click here for the current monthly list as well as archives.

Beacon's Colorado member engagement team would like to recognize our amazing providers that continue to provide stellar services to our community! Many of you have worked with our practice transformation team to select QI measures and goals related to preventative care. We want to come along side as a resource. Did you know that we offer live Getting Started ZOOM meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 11am that your patients and their families, or even your staff, can attend to learn about benefits and ask questions in real time?

This course starts September 15 and there is no fee. Click here for more information and to register.

There will be five weekly virtual sessions on Tuesdays from 12pm-1pm starting September 21. Click here for more information and to register.

This is a six week course on Thursdays from 9am - 10am starting on September 23. There is no fee. Click here for more information and to register.

From ECHO Colorado AND CoPPCAP

This series meets weekly on Thursdays from 7:30am - 8:30am (MST) starting on September 30, 2021. Click here for more information and to register.

From ECHO Colorado AND CoPPCAP

This series meets weekly on Thursdays from 12pm - 1pm (MST) starting on September 30, 2021.

Click here for more information and to register.

This training brings clinicians, direct care staff, and providers together to learn the spectrum of best practices for our clients. Participants will learn terms and concepts surrounding gender & sexuality, ways of communicating with compassion & respect, and some effects of addiction & trauma.

Join the National Council to hear from individuals with lived experience at the intersection of disability and LGBTQ+ justice in health care as well as a state leader working to strengthen health outcomes and reduce stigma. This webinar seeks to provide insights on establishing affirming relationships among individuals, within communities, and between clients and providers are key to achieve affirming, inclusive care for these populations.

From ECHO Colorado

There will be six weekly virtual sessions on Thursdays from 7am - 8am starting on October 14, 2021.

Click here for more information and to register.

Engaging young people in conversations related to health behaviors, especially substance use, can be challenging even for trained professionals. To prepare providers for such discussions, the National Council developed a message framework for delivering substance use prevention messages, the foundation of which is building rapport and a trusting relationship with youth. In this webinar, attendees will learn:

• How to frame conversations and deliver substance use prevention messages to youth.

• Recognize the role of building rapport and trust with youth in delivering messages and discussing health related behaviors.