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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Putting Members First
During this first quarter of 2022, the Department will continue to pursue initiatives that achieve its mission to improve health care access, equity and affordability for the one in four Coloradans we cover while delivering value to all Coloradans.
- Increase oversight over quality care for elderly Health First Colorado members who need long-term services and supports through our PACE partners.
- Update Health First Colorado’s rate-setting structure to increase its effectiveness, engagement and responsiveness.
- Bring us into compliance with federal eligibility requirements.
- Increase hospital pricing transparency to drive better affordability in the private sector.
In addition to our legislative agenda, the Department has been actively engaged at every level of the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force to determine how
to best invest the $450 million in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funding
to improve access, equity and the delivery of behavioral health care services across Colorado. Comprised of legislators, executive branch representatives and diverse behavioral health practitioners and experts, the Task Force came to unanimous consensus on all funding recommendations and allocations, now available in the
Jan. 31 recommendations report. Look for legislation this session that turns these recommendations into action.
Also on the behavioral health front, and to achieve our goal of increasing access to behavioral health providers serving Health First Colorado members, we released a mailing in collaboration with the Department of Regulatory Affairs encouraging behavioral health providers to join our network. Behavioral health providers not currently in our network are invited to visit our Provider Enrollment website for more information on how to enroll. As well, the Department is continuing its work on four workstreams to improve the performance, accountability and partnership with the state’s Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs), which are a pillar within our behavioral health safety net system. This includes modernizing our cost reports and our payment models, implementing universal contracts that hold the Department and the CMHCs more accountable, and reducing administrative burden.
In addition to modernizing our CMHC payment models, our fiscal year 2022-2023 budget proposes broader, meaningful investments into value-based payments (R-6), which enable us to better reward value in care delivery – like closing disparities, enhancing member health or improving affordability. We look forward to partnering with and rewarding providers who help achieve shared goals to the betterment of the Coloradans we jointly serve.
On Jan. 27, we presented to the House and Senate Committees of Reference at the Department’s SMART Act hearing, including an overview of environmental challenges and opportunities, priorities, regulatory and legislative agendas, and budget requests. We also invite you to review our annual report to hear directly from our members and to learn more about the Department.
On behalf of our passionate Department staff and leadership, we thank you for your partnership in delivering improved health care access, equity and affordability to Health First Colorado and to all Coloradans.
Kim
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Healthy Families and Workplaces Act:
Help us spread the word about the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HWFA). HWFA is a law that requires all employers to give all Colorado workers paid sick leave.
Employers must give at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours an employee works, up to 48 hours a year. Employers must also give extra emergency paid sick leave during a public health emergency, like COVID-19.
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Department Annual Report:
The Department's annual report is now available. This report illustrates the many ways we serve Coloradans and includes videos in our members’ own words. We invite you to review it and celebrate all that we accomplished together this past year. |
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New Redetermination Process:
In March 2022 a new redetermination process for all Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members will be implemented. The new process will be called “renewal” because member feedback shows “renewal” was more understandable than “redetermination” for most members surveyed.
Renewal is a case review that happens at least every 12 months to determine whether Health First Colorado and CHP+ members will continue to qualify for benefits. The new process and packet were created to make it easier for members to navigate and complete, and to make sure the process and packet adhere to federal regulations.
Many different stakeholders and Health First Colorado and CHP+ members helped the Department create the new language and layout for the new renewal forms and process. In the new process, the head of household must sign a signature page as part of the renewal paperwork they complete. This is a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirement.
County workers and other assisters will have training opportunities to help guide them through the new packet and processes.
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Help Spread the Word About Tax Credits:
Nearly a quarter of Coloradans miss out on valuable tax credits that can help them take care of themselves and the people they love. The Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) were expanded in 2021, making more Colorado families eligible. Filers can receive up to $3,600 for each child ages 6-17 living in their household and do not need any earnings to qualify.
Help us reach individuals and families across the state, informing them about these and other tax credits, and helping them access free tax preparation services. Learn more and get access to our free campaign resources including brochures, social media content, and newsletter messages to help spread the word.
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Test to Stay:
On Feb. 1, the Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) launched Test to Stay, an optional program to help students and staff continue in-person learning after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Test to Stay will provide another testing resource to help reduce the burden on students, staff and parents.
Test to Stay is an optional program intended to help students and staff avoid quarantine for those who have school-associated exposures to COVID-19.
An exposed student or staff member will take the first test at home or from a testing site as soon as they are notified they have been exposed.
If the first test is negative, they may attend school in person if they wear a well-fitting mask and do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
- They must test again five to seven days after their COVID-19 exposure.
- If the second test is negative, and they do not have COVID-19 symptoms, the student or staff member may attend school in person if they wear a well-fitting mask.
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If the second test is positive, students and staff should stay home and follow isolation instructions.
If the first at-home test is positive, the student or staff member must begin isolation and seek testing from a testing site if symptoms occur.
- If the second test is negative, and they do not have COVID-19 symptoms, the student or staff member may attend school in person if they wear a well-fitting mask.
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If the second test is positive, students and staff should stay home and follow isolation instructions.
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At-Home Test Kit Update:
Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) began paying for at-home COVID-19 tests for members in January. Each enrolled Health First Colorado member can get up to 15 free at-home tests per month from pharmacies that serve Health First Colorado. Each enrolled CHP+ member can receive up to eight tests per month. There is no out of pocket cost or co-pays for Health First Colorado or CHP+ members. Health First Colorado and CHP+ will reimburse the pharmacies after members receive the free tests.
Due to the high demand, at-home tests have been in short supply and pharmacies are having a difficult time getting them from their suppliers. We encourage members to call the pharmacy ahead of time to see if they have the at-home tests in stock.
The federal government recently launched an online program where each household address can receive a maximum of four tests. This program is limited to a one-time order of four tests per household and they will arrive by US mail usually within seven to 10 days.
The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) also has an online program where Coloradans can order two tests per week. If you are interested in receiving multiple tests, you will need to reorder tests. Tests do not automatically ship on a recurring basis. Because of high demand, tests will usually arrive in two weeks. Health First Colorado does not manage the federal program or the CDPHE program.
Please visit the Health First Colorado webpage for more information on its coverage of the at-home test program, a list of enrolled pharmacies and FAQs that will be updated as new questions and information arise.
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COVID-19 vaccine updates:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 31, 2022. The Moderna vaccine has been available under emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 18 years of age and older since Dec. 18, 2020.
The COVID-19 Pfizer booster is approved for anyone 12 and older. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment encourages all Coloradans age 12 and up to get a booster dose as soon as possible if it has been at least six months since they got their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or at least two months since they got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
As a reminder, children ages 5-11 are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines and boosters are common practice in routine childhood vaccination. Many vaccines require multiple doses at specific intervals to be most effective. Anyone with questions about boosters is encouraged to speak with their health care provider.
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Disaster Relief Special Enrollment Period:
Connect for Health Colorado is offering a Special Enrollment Period now through March 16 to those who have been impacted by Colorado wildfires or the current surge of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Coloradans can still sign up for a health insurance plan and apply for financial help through Connect for Health Colorado for 2022 if they:
- Are impacted by Colorado wildfires, including the Marshall Fire
- Are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Experience a qualifying life event
Free, virtual and in-person help signing up is available from our certified Connect for Health Colorado enrollment experts located throughout the state. If anyone in the community you assist needs help, you can refer them to one of our experts to ensure they get the right health insurance coverage and financial help. Visit connectforhealthco.com/enrollment-center/ to find assistance in your area.
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HHS Announces Availability of $13 Million to Increase Behavioral Health Care Access in Rural Communities:
Jan. 18, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the availability of $13 million in funding to increase access to behavioral health care services and address health inequities in rural America, including through evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment for substance use disorder.
Applicants can begin the RCORP-Behavioral Health Care Support application process on Grants.gov and must apply by Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 11:59 PM, ET. Visit the Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information.
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In December 2021, there were
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