In place of the Policy Advisory Council (PAC) update, the county team is using a newsletter in the style of County Connections to communicate critical information.
The content is designed for county human services directors and leadership.
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Letter from the Executive Director
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Partnerships Past the Pandemic
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:
- Visit Colorado.gov/PEAK.
- Use the Health First Colorado app on their phone (free for Health First Colorado and CHP+ members).
- CHP+ members can call 800-359-1991 while Health First Colorado members can call their county department of human/social services.
- 78% said that if another booster in the series is recommended by the CDC for their age group, they would definitely or likely want it.
- 80% are very concerned about affordability or it’s their top concern. 53% are most concerned about hospital costs followed by prescription drug costs (46%).
- 37% said price reductions is their top priority for how hospitals spend down excess reserves; 35% said workforce expansion/wage increases; 24% voted for community investment.
- 50% said behavioral health is their top priority for hospital community benefit investments; 27% said health disparities; 16% said housing & supports for persons experiencing homelessness.
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.
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Due to the current situation with Russia and Ukraine, we all need to be extra vigilant online. OIT is monitoring the situation with tools that continue to detect and deflect malicious activity to protect state resources and data. However, OIT is seeing an increase of the following cyber activities:
- Phishing attempts or suspected phishing attempts with malicious links.
- Malicious inbound traffic, which is being blocked by our systems.
- Impersonation of state leaders and employees.
The most common and successful way for cyberattacks to be initiated is through phishing emails, which attempt to entice the recipient in clicking on a link, which in turn allows bad actors to install harmful software. It takes one person clicking on a bad link to start this chain of events. Please remember these three things when using email and chat:
- If it seems strange, it probably is.
- If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- If it creates a sense of urgency, it is probably fake.
Thank you for helping us protect each other, our shared workspaces, our infrastructure, resources and information by staying alert and being extra cautious before clicking on any link.
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Inter-Agency Transfer Procedure
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Section 10 CCR 2505-10-8.100.3.C - Transferring Requirements
To avoid unnecessary delays in processing, this document should be followed when a family or individual moves from one county to another within Colorado, We know that some of the terminology in the document is outdated (it was written in 2012), but it is still relevant and should be followed.
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New Redetermination Process
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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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County Admin Rules Technical Assistance Meetings
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Technical Assistance meetings are scheduled to review new guidance based on the new county administration rules. During these meetings, the memo authors and other staff will be available to answer questions.
Below are the links to join. Any and all county staff are encouraged to attend.
Monday, April 11, 12-1:30 p.m.
Or dial: (US) +1 347-380-8578 PIN: 483 038 525#
Monday, April 25, 12-1:30 p.m.
Or dial: (US) +1 347-380-8578 PIN: 483 038 525#
Monday, May 9, 12-1:30 p.m.
Or dial: (US) +1 347-380-8578 PIN: 483 038 525#
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Registration Now Open!!
Calling all Eligibility Sites! You’re invited to join HCPF’s Continuous Improvement Learning Sessions...
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Feeling anxious about Renewal Revamp? We’ve got you covered! The Continuous Improvement Team will be hosting Learning Sessions to assist your site with the upcoming changes. These sessions will:
- Prepare your site for the upcoming Renewal Revamp project changes by learning business process considerations and how to apply them.
- Learn about Change Management Theory to help your site adjust to upcoming changes, even past Renewal Revamp.
All Eligibility Sites are encouraged to have at least two Eligibility staff members attend. The recommended participants for Small & Medium Counties are Director, Supervisor, and Lead Worker. For Large Counties we recommend the Division Director, Manager, and Supervisor. Those attending will need to RSVP through COLearn, please click the following link to register. Please be sure to attend the date allocated for your size of Eligibility Site. Your staff do not need to attend both sessions for your size, only one is needed as the same information will be presented.
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1 - Small Counties and MA Sites
(US) +1 413-459-4339 PIN: 128 133 968#
April 18, 2022
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
2 - Small Counties and MA Sites
Virtual - Google Meeting
(US) +1 413-459-4339 PIN: 128 133 968#
April 27, 2022
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
3 - Medium Counties and MA Sites
Virtual - Google Meeting
(US) +1 413-459-4339 PIN: 128 133 968#
April 20, 2022
Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m.
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4 - Medium Counties and MA Sites
Virtual - Google Meeting
(US) +1 413-459-4339 PIN: 128 133 968#
April 28, 2022
Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
5 - Large Counties and Denver Health & Connect for Health
Virtual - Google Meeting
(US) +1 413-459-4339 PIN: 128 133 968#
April 21, 2022
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
6- Large Counties and Denver Health & Connect for Health
Virtual - Google Meeting
(US) +1 413-459-4339 PIN: 128 133 968#
April 25, 2022
Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m.
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For any questions, please contact the Continuous Improvement team at [email protected].
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Recent Memo Series Issued to Counties
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OM 22-014
The purpose of this Operational Memo is to issue sub-regulatory guidance regarding the
requirement for each county department of human/social services to have a Civil Rights
Plan which addresses complaints, non-discrimination requirements and accessibility
concerns. The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (the Department, or
HCPF) is statutorily responsible for the oversight of the operations of the county
department particular to the administration of the Medical Assistance Program.
OM 22-012
The purpose of this memo is to advise eligibility sites of the Medicare Savings Program
(MSP) and Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) income limits. MSP Categories include: Qualified
Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB), Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB),
Qualified Individuals (QI-1) and Qualified Disabled Working Individuals (QDWI). Please
share this memo letter with anyone who works with these programs.
OM 22-011
The purpose for this memo is to notify eligibility site staff of the income guidelines for
the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Medicaid program and the Child Health
Plan Plus (CHP+) program effective April 1, 2022.
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Department Contacts & Resources
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