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County Incentives Program
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| FY 2016-17 Contract Amendments |
***Reminder!***
FY 16-17 Contract Amendments due to the Department by June 15, 2016
The Department sent contract amendments for the FY 2016-17 County Incentives Program to all county directors on May 9, 2016.
Contract amendments should be returned to the Department no later than June 15, 2016. If the county needs additional time, the director should contact the County Relations team.
The contract amendment will be effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.
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FY 2016-17 Grant Applications
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***Reminder!***
FY 16-17 Grant Applications released late April 2016
The County Grant Program released grant applications for FY 2016-17 at the end of April 2016.
Applications are due to the Department no later than May 31, 2016.
Interviews for the FY 2016-17 County Grant Program will take place on June 16 and June 17, 2016. The Department will score grant applications and notify grant winners by June 30, 2016.
Grant projects can begin on July 1, 2016 and must be completed by June 30, 2017.
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| County Training Opportunities |
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Staff Development Center:
Building Foundations: Perspectives - Virtual Instructor Led Training
May 25
, 2016
8:00am - 12:00pm
June 8, 2016
8:00am - 12:00pm
Building Foundations: Data Entry - Virtual Instructor Led Training
May 26, 2016
1:00pm - 5:00pm
June 9, 2016
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Introduction to COGNOS - Virtual Instructor Led Training
May 27, 2016
9:00am - 12:00pm
June 1, 2016
1:00pm - 4:00pm
June 7, 2016
9:00am - 12:00pm
June 16
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Expanding Foundations Medical Assistance - Grand Junction
May 31, 2016 -
June 3, 2016
8:30am - 4:00pm
Expanding Foundations Long Term Care - Denver Metro
June 8, 2016 -
June 9, 2016
8:30am - 4:00pm
Online through TrainColorado:
Building Effective Relationships
Civil Rights
Client ID State ID
Colorado Address Confidentiality Program
IRS 1095-B Health Coverage Video
Medicaid Buy-In
PEAK
Health App
Single Streamlined Applications (SSAp) 101
Understanding Poverty
Your Road to Resources
Department of Health Care Policy and Financing:
Other trainings not mentioned above may qualify for the HCPF Training Incentive. Contact the County Relations team for more questions on the Training Incentive.
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Quick Links and Resources
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Medicaid and CHP+ Rules and Guidance
Volume 8 - Rules - direct link to Secretary of State
HCPF Forms and Rules
HCPF Agency and Directors Letters
HCPF FAQs and Training
HCPF County Relations
CBMS Enhancement Sheets - Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT)
Staff Development Center (SDC)
Training Calendar
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Welcome to the May 2016 edition of County Connections!
Welcome to the newest edition of the
County Connections newsletter. The content in this newsletter is designed to inform county directors, management, and staff in areas such as county performance, process improvement, collaboration, policy updates, upcoming due dates and more.
The content will continue to evolve. We encourage our county partners to give us your content suggestions. Feedback can be sent to the
HCPF County Relations team.
Please feel free to share County Connections with your colleagues by selecting forward this email
at the bottom of this page.
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Breaking News - Policy and Process Updates |
| County Communications Update for FY 2016-17 |
County Relations team is updating county contacts for FY 2016-17
Reminder! County communications updates for all counties are
due to the Department by June 9, 2016.
If you did not receive your communications update form, please contact the County Relations team.
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Annualized Income Webinar
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Webinar on annualized income policy change
On June 16, from 1:00pm-2:00pm, the Department and PEAK Outreach will co-host a webinar on the upcoming policy change to use annualized income for certain MAGI Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) eligibility determinations and the corresponding changes to Colorado.gov/PEAK.
Register today at:
Please note that this webinar will not include training on changes to the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS). The Staff Development Center (SDC) will incorporate that information as part of their training on the June build.
Note - this webinar will count towards the Training Incentive for the FY 2015-16 County Incentives Program.
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Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT): County Resources
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Department releases county-oriented Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
NEMT is transportation to or from covered Medicaid medical appointments or services, and is only available when a member has no other means of transportation. Additionally, meals and lodging for the member along with transportation, meals and lodging for an escort to accompany an at-risk adult or child may also be covered under NEMT.
The purpose of this FAQs document is to provide county departments of human/social services with resources on NEMT eligibility, policies, billing, revalidation, providers, Total Transit and training. You can download the document by clicking on the link below.
For questions about NEMT, contact Elizabeth Reekers-Medina, NEMT Contract Manager.
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No Wrong Door (NWD): Three Year Implementation Plan
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Department finalizes implementation plan
The Department and its state partners have finalized Colorado's Three-Year NWD Implementation Plan. The plan detailed in this report, developed with extensive input from stakeholders across the state, describes the proposed model for the statewide NWD system. Through a grant from the federal Administration for Community Living, Colorado plans to test the model presented in the implementation plan by financing three to five regional NWD systems as pilot sites. The NWD system, when taken to scale, will create a streamlined Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) entry point system that provides information and a full range of options for LTSS programs and eligibility determinations for seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers, regardless of their pay source.
View the Three Year Implementation Plan
For more information on the NWD Implementation Plan, contact Aron Snyder, NWD Program Manager.
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Home and Community Based Services (HCBS): Waivers to Colorado's Medicaid State Plan
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Adult and Children's Waivers Eligibility Charts
Waiver programs provide additional Medicaid benefits to specific populations who meet special eligibility criteria. For some people, a waiver is the only way to qualify for Medicaid.
Clients must meet financial, medical, and program targeting criteria to access services under a waiver. To utilize waiver benefits, clients must be willing to receive services in their homes or communities. A client who receives services through a waiver is also eligible for all basic Medicaid covered services except nursing facility and long-term hospital care. When a client chooses to receive services under a waiver, the services must be provided by certified Medicaid providers or by a Medicaid contracting managed care organization.
Each waiver has an enrollment limit. There may be a waiting list for any particular waiver. Applicants may apply for more than one waiver, but may only receive services through one waiver at a time.
For more information on each of the different types of Adult and Children's Waivers, download the Eligibility Charts by clicking on the links below.
For more information on Waiver Programs, utilize the staff contact information on the Eligibility Charts.
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| Medical Services Board (MSB): Who approves HCPF rules? |
MSB established by law
The Medical Services Board (MSB) was established by law effective July 1, 1994. It is the responsibility of the Medical Services Board to adopt the rules that govern the Department's programs. The Board has eleven members, with at least one member from each congressional district and no more than six members from the same political party. Members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
Medical Services Board meetings are scheduled for the second Friday of each month and are open to the public. The Board hears each proposed rule twice to allow time for the public to participate.
For additional information visit the Department's
MSB webpage.
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| Medical Services Board (MSB): Notification of Upcoming Rule Changes |
New email notification list
The Department maintains a distribution list to alert individuals via email of upcoming Medical Services Board events. If you are interested in receiving a notification when meeting agendas and rules are posted to the Department's website, please contact the
County Relations team.
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Timeliness for April 2016
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Timeliness numbers for the month of April 2016 are in!
Timeliness for all Medical Assistance
applications for the month was measured at
98.42 percent.
The Department and its county partners have registered 22 consecutive months above 95% timeliness.
Timeliness for all Medical Assistance redeterminations for the month was measured at
97.27 percent.
The Department and its county partners have registered 3 consecutive months above 95% timeliness.
This could not have been accomplished without the hard work of our county partners. Many thanks!
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The following counties were below the 95% benchmark for the month of April 2016.
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Applications
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Redeterminations
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| Archuleta - 94.83% |
Baca - 87.13% |
| Baca - 86.21% |
Broomfield - 94.82% |
| Elbert - 92.11% |
Clear Creek - 93.23% |
| Saguache - 86.76% |
Custer - 90.53% |
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Elbert - 94.86% |
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Garfield - 91.49% |
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Grand - 86.40% |
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Lake - 88.00% |
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Otero - 91.23% |
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Rio Blanco - 93.14% |
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Saguache - 85.22% |
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Sedgwick - 93.10% |
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Medicaid Eligibility Quality Improvement Plan (MEQIP)
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MEQIP FY 2015-16 Annual Report
As part of the County Incentives Program, counties must submit their quarterly and annual reports on the specified due dates in order to earn MEQIP Incentives funds.
The MEQIP FY 2015-16 Annual Reports were due on March 31, 2016. The following counties submitted their Annual Reports timely.
Please note that if your county is not listed, the county will be ineligible for MEQIP Incentive funds for the current reporting period (RP 2).
If you did not submit your MEQIP Annual Report, you can still do so by contacting the MEQIP Program Manager. However, any Annual Reports not submitted by March 31, 2016 will not count towards the MEQIP Incentive.
| Adams |
Alamosa |
Archuleta |
Baca |
| Boulder |
Broomfield |
Chaffee |
Cheyenne |
| Clear Creek |
Conejos |
Costilla |
Crowley |
| Delta |
Denver |
Dolores |
Douglas |
| Eagle |
El Paso |
Elbert |
Fremont |
| Garfield |
Gilpin |
Grand |
Gunnison |
| Hinsdale |
Huerfano |
Jackson |
Jefferson |
| Kiowa |
La Plata |
Larimer |
Las Animas |
| Logan |
Mesa |
Mineral |
Moffat |
| Montezuma |
Montrose |
Morgan |
Otero |
| Ouray |
Phillips |
Pitkin |
Prowers |
| Pueblo |
Rio Blanco |
Rio Grande |
Routt |
| Saguache |
San Juan |
San Miguel |
Sedgwick |
| Summit |
Washington |
Weld |
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More information about MEQIP can be found on the website. For assistance on MEQIP reporting, contact Gina Martinez, MEQIP Program Manager.
Note: MEQIP reporting on County Connections represents a point-in-time. If you have made corrections and/or other arrangements with the MEQIP program manager, they may not be reflected in County Connections at the time of publication.
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Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS)
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PARIS expenditures in FY 2015-16 - As of March 31, 2016
Each fiscal year, the ten counties with the most cases listed in the PARIS system are allotted additional funds in order to work these cases. This system is critical to determining if a beneficiary is receiving benefits in multiple states, and if so, whether the client's case in Colorado should be closed or remain open.
As of March 31, 2016, these counties have only spent 46% of the state-wide allotment. Breakdown by counties is listed below.
| County |
% of PARIS Allotment Spent |
| Adams |
63% |
| Arapahoe |
38% |
| Boulder |
55% |
| Denver |
34% |
| El Paso |
42% |
| Jefferson |
3% |
| Larimer |
77% |
| Mesa |
61% |
| Pueblo |
44% |
| Weld |
87% |
The Department encourages these counties to utilize the funding allotted to them to work those cases listed in the PARIS system.
For more information regarding PARIS, contact Jared Shaffer, PARIS Program Manager.
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Process Improvement and Collaboration
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FY 2015-16 County Grant Program: Arapahoe and Larimer outstationed staff in local jails
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Outstationed staff allow for Medicaid enrollment upon release
As part of the FY 2015-16 County Grant Program, Arapahoe and Larimer Counties requested funding to outstation eligibility staff at their local jails. This allows for inmate eligibility immediately upon release.
The importance of reducing recidivism among the former inmate population is one of the primary drivers of programs such as those implemented in Larimer and Arapahoe Counties. By connecting individuals released from correctional facilities with Medicaid State Plan services, counties can ensure access to behavioral health medications and services, as well as standard medical services.
More information on the Larimer and Arapahoe County projects can be found in the FY 2015-16 County Grant Program:
Project Summaries.
Questions regarding the County Grant Program can be directed to the HCPF County Relations team.
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FY 2016-17 County Incentives Program: New Collaboration Partner
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Community Centered Boards (CCBs) added as eligible collaboration partner
Through the County Incentives Program, counties earn incentives funds if they collaborate with three approved partners at least once a quarter, and jointly identifed 2-3 shared goals. For the FY 2016-17, the Department added CCBs as an eligible collaboration partner. To collaborate with a CCB, utilize the list below.
| County/Counties |
CCB |
Contact Information
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| Adams |
North Metro Community Services |
303-252-7199 or 303-457-1001 |
Alamosa/Conejos/Costilla
/Mineral/Rio Grande/Saguache |
Blue Peaks Developmental Services
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719-589-5135 |
| Arapahoe/Douglas |
Developmental Pathways |
303-360-6600 |
| Archuleta/Dolores/La Plata/Montezuma/San Juan |
Community Connections |
970-259-2464 |
Baca/Bent/Kiowa/Prowers
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Southeastern Developmental Services |
719-336-3244 |
| Boulder/Broomfield |
Imagine! |
303-665-7789 |
| Chaffee/Custer/Fremont |
Starpoint |
719-275-1616 |
Cheyenne/Elbert/Kit Carson/Lincoln/Logan/ Morgan/Phillips/Sedgwick/ Washington/Yuma
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Eastern Colorado Services |
970-522-7121 |
| Clear Creek/Gilpin/ Jefferson/Summit |
Developmental Disabilities Resource Center |
303-233-3363 |
| Crowley/Otero/Bent |
Inspiration Field |
719-384-8741 |
Delta/Gunnison/Hinsdale/ Montrose/Ouray/San Miguel
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Community Options |
970-249-1412 |
| Denver |
Rocky Mountain Human Services |
303-636-5600 |
| Eagle/Garfield/Lake/ Pitkin |
Mountain Valley Developmental Services |
970-945-2306 |
| El Paso/Park/Teller |
The Resource Exchange |
719-380-1100 |
| Grand/Jackson/Moffat/ Rio Blanco/Routt |
Horizon Specialized Services |
970-879-4466 |
| Huerfano/Las Animas |
Southern Colorado Developmental Services |
719-846-3388 |
| Larimer |
Foothills Gateway |
970-226-2345 |
| Mesa |
Strive |
970-243-3702 |
| Pueblo |
Colorado Bluesky Enterprises |
970-243-3702 |
| Weld |
Envision |
970-339-5360 |
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News Release: Governor Signs Medicaid Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) Bill
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Bill changes licensing requirements for Medicaid transportation providers
DENVER, CO - Today Governor Hickenlooper signed House Bill 16-1097 into law which will make it easier for new transportation businesses to provide Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) and Non-Medical Transportation (NMT) services to Colorado Medicaid members. This bill allows for a new category of licensure by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
NEMT and NMT providers are currently regulated by the PUC as common carriers. This level of regulation has proven prohibitive because new transportation provider applications are regularly protested or blocked by established transportation providers. Creating this new category of licensure, limited regulation carriers, is expected to reduce the number protests and result in more transportation service providers for Medicaid members. These transportation businesses are required to have regular vehicle inspections, driver background checks, and sufficient insurance. It is expected that the limited regulation permits will start being issued in early 2017.
"This legislation will help us increase transportation availability and access to care for our Medicaid members," said Susan E. Birch, MBA, BSN, RN, executive director. "Our Department is working hard to improve business processes with the goal of making Medicaid work better for our members and providers. We believe this legislation will produce positive results for both."
HB 16-1097 is expected to improve safety and reduce costs. The law includes a provision that allows the Department to transfer some of the Medicaid savings to the PUC so they can hire vendors to inspect Medicaid transportation vehicles more frequently. Costs for medical services should decrease with the increased utilization of NEMT services. The Department estimates that increasing access to less costly medical services will save $345,000 in state fiscal year 2017-18.
Taxi companies that currently provide NEMT and NMT transportation are unaffected and the legislation does not change common carrier regulations or rates. Transportation providers not currently requiring PUC licensure are also not affected by this legislation.
House Bill 16-1097 was sponsored by Senator Ray Scott (R-Mesa) and Representatives Don Coram (R-Delores, Montezuma, Montrose, and San Miguel) and Dominick Moreno (D-Adams).
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2016 Legislative Session: Department Updates
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Updates from End of Legislative Session
The 2016 legislative session ended with adjournment on Wednesday, May 11, 2016. To get an update on the Department's legislation, or legislation that was not proposed by the Department but would affect the Department's programs, click on the link below.
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| Community Living Quality Improvement Committee (CLQIC) |
CLQIC: Seeking Members
The Department houses an advisory committee focused on quality improvement for HCPF's Office of Community Living (OCL). The CLQIC provides input to the OCL on the development of a robust quality strategy from a person-centered perspective.
The CLQIC meets on a monthly for two hours. The committee is interested in membership inclusive of persons with lived experiences, caregivers, providers and related stakeholders of the following child and adult populations:
- Older Adults
- Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
- Cognitive Disabilities
- Physical Disabilities
- Mental Health Disabilities
- Behavioral Disabilities
- Substance Use Disorders
The CLQIC's charter mandates open recruitment, and applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. That said, membership is based on keeping diverse representation on CLQIC. Therefore, simply submitting an application does not ensure acceptance onto CLQIC.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the CLQIC, please fill out an application. Your application will be reviewed within in the month it is received and the CLQIC Chairperson will follow up with you on the Committee's decision.
For more information, contact Danielle Culp, Quality Health Improvement Specialist.
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| Health Report Card: Celebrating a Decade of Data |
From the Colorado Health Foundation
In honor of Mental Health Month, the Colorado Health Foundation released a new Data Spotlight, Mental Health in Colorado: Working to Close the Disparity Gaps. The report highlights key data indicators for Colorado's youth, adult and senior populations that show who is - and who is not - accessing mental health care and why.
According to the Data Spotlight, thousands of Coloradans are facing mental health challenges - ranging from mild to more complex symptoms - and some are struggling more than others:
- Lesbian, gay and bisexual Coloradans are two to three times more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience poor mental health.
- Though there is little difference in the rates of poor mental health by race and ethnicity, blacks and Hispanics fall behind when it comes to receiving help from a professional.
- Colorado's suicide rate is climbing, with a disproportionate impact on individuals from rural communities and men.
Developed in partnership with the Colorado Health Institute, the Mental Health Data Spotlight is the first in a series of 2016 Colorado Health Report Card deep-dives on pressing health issues impacting Coloradans. Read the full Data Spotlight to learn more about the mental health climate in Colorado and how local and state leaders are taking action on these issues.
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White House Award: Champion of Change for the Affordable Care Act
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Servicios de La Raza - Services for the People
Servicios de La Raza Executive Director Rudy Gonzales is being recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change for the Affordable Care Act.
Servicios de La Raza's mission is to provide and advocate for culturally responsive, essential human services and opportunities.
These services are intended to assist low-income members of the community in overcoming the range of problems that result in a lack of resources and contribute to the perpetuation of the vicious cycle of poverty.
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The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, creed, political beliefs, or disability in employment, admission or access to, treatment or participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs, services and activities.
For further information about this policy, to request free disability and/or language aids and services, or to file a discrimination complaint, contact:
504/ADA Coordinator
1570 Grant St
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-6010, Fax: 303-866-2828, State Relay: 711
Civil rights complaints can also be filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights electronically through the
Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal
or by mail, phone, or fax at:
1961 Stout Street Room 08-148
Denver, CO 80294
Telephone: 800-368-1019, Fax: 202-619-3818, TDD: 800-537-7697
Complaint forms are available online
.
For more information, please visit our website at
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