At our recent Health Cabinet Policy Summit, 91% said it’s critical for all of us to work together through the end of the public health emergency (PHE). We estimate that more than 560,000 Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members in the continuous coverage category will be reviewed for benefits when the nation transitions out of the PHE.

In crafting our end-of-the-PHE plan, our goals include: continuity of coverage for our members no longer eligible for Health First Colorado/CHP+; implementing operational changes to improve the member experience; and minimizing the impact on county and medical assistance site eligibility workers wherever possible. To address the second and third goals, we have automated aspects of member renewals. We want to thank our county partners, sister agencies, Connect for Health Colorado and community organizations for collaborating to achieve these goals. Fortunately, the federal government is allowing up to 14 months after the end of the PHE for member coverage renewals and transitions. We invite you to register for our April 15 webinar at Colorado.gov/hcpf/phe-planning to learn more about our plan and how you can help.

While we don’t know exactly when the federal government will end the PHE, there are steps we can take now to be ready. One of the most important is for member addresses to be accurate so they receive important coverage and renewal information. To make updates, members can:

Planning for the end of the PHE and coverage continuity was just one topic at our recent Health Cabinet Policy Summit. Other topics included health care affordability, behavioral health transformation, policy considerations from our Hospital Insights Report, and pandemic to endemic management of COVID-19. You can view summit materials on our Affordability website.

Thank you again for your tremendous partnership to address the unprecedented challenges faced over the last two years. Thanks to your outstanding efforts and leadership, we have weathered this incredibly difficult period far better than many other states. As we prepare for the shift from pandemic responsiveness to endemic management and pandemic readiness, continued collaboration remains critical to achieving our shared goals to move Colorado forward in a way that improves health care equity, access, outcomes and affordability. 

Income guidelines are now available for the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Medicaid program and the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) program effective April 1, 2022.

Materials from the summit are on our website: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/affordability 

If your facility is not currently enrolled in COVID-19 Antiviral Distribution, we would like to encourage you to participate and complete this form to initiate the process. Interested sites must already be licensed by the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy to dispense outpatient medications.

Find a list of all pharmacies distributing antivirals on CDPHE’s Information about outpatient COVID-19 therapeutics for health care providers webpage. 

For new information on the federal Test to Treat program, refer to ASPR’s fact sheet. In this program, people can get tested for COVID-19 and—if they are positive and can get therapeutic treatments—receive a prescription from an on-site health care provider and have their prescription filled all in one location. Patients can also bring their own positive result from at-home tests or outside testing locations. To indicate interest in this program, email cdphe_dcphr_covidtherapeutics@state.co.us. 

How to Apply: The application is dynamic and allows organizations to apply for partnership based on their organization type, staffing, goals, and customer service. New questions and tasks are created depending on answers to previous questions.

Based on the application, each organization will be considered for the appropriate award area. Connect for Health Colorado welcomes applications from any partner but might not accept all proposals. Live webinars are scheduled to help guide applicants through the application process. Access the Partner Application Webinar information.

To apply: https://c4hco.smapply.io/

Who May Apply: Applications will be considered from new and existing partners. This includes new partners who currently serve customers in a one-on-one setting as well as certified brokers, broker agencies and current assistance network partners (including certified application counselor locations and assistance sites).

of contact or ECTeam@c4hco.com.

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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.

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. 

For more information, visit the Test to Stay webpage.

The CDC has approved an additional booster dose for people who may be at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. People over the age of 50 can now get an additional booster four months after their prior dose to increase their protection.

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.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and where to find them. Anyone who needs help making a vaccine appointment should call 1-877-268-2926. Health First Colorado members who need help finding a ride to get to a vaccine appointment can use the Non-Emergent Medical Transportation benefit.

HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy will make awards through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)—Behavioral Health Care Support. Eligible applicants include entities such as Rural Health Clinics, federally recognized tribes, tribal organizations, and community- and faith-based organizations.

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.

For more information about efforts to address barriers to treatment for substance use disorder in rural areas, visit HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. To learn about the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy, visit hhs.gov/overdose-prevention/.