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Upcoming Events and Helpful Resources
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| Health First Colorado videos for use in waiting rooms and other areas members visit are available for download on our website. |
New to PEAK or Need a Refresher?
The Intro to PEAK and Application Walk-Through recorded webinars are available anytime. For more information and trainings, visit the
PEAK Outreach Initiative website.
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Public Rule Review Opportunities
Anyone interested in a one-on-one discussion with Department staff about upcoming rules is invited to attend the Department's
Public Rule Review Meeting. Information is available on the
Public Rule Review Meetings webpage.
For more information, or to be added to the Medical Services Board email distribution list, please contact
Chris Sykes.
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Employment Opportunities
Applying for state government jobs is easy. Applications are electronic, you will receive updates, and you do not need to answer any written questions until it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications.
Check out the
website for State of Colorado jobs including the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing jobs.
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Welcome to the June 2020 edition of
At a Glance!
Thank you for your interest!
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Non-Emergent Medical Transportation Update
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Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) is a Health First Colorado benefit for members who don't have transportation to medical appointments. NEMT used to be administered by different vendors in different parts of the state, but soon NEMT will be the same in all areas of the state.
For more information about NEMT, visit our website.
A transportation broker, IntelliRide, has provided nine counties' NEMT benefit in the state. On July 1, IntelliRide began expanding to serve the entire state's NEMT benefit. The process will be complete August 1. Expanding IntelliRide across the state will help improve customer service. We will be better able to ensure more consistent, streamlined operations and improved access for members.
IntelliRide expansion details:
- There will be no changes in the nine counties already using IntelliRide (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties). Members who live in one of these counties should keep using their benefit as they have in the past.
- For other counties, IntelliRide will begin managing trips on either July 1 or Aug. 1. Visit CO.gov/HCPF/NEMT for a map and other details on your county's transition timeline.
- Anyone who lives in a county transitioning July 1 should contact IntelliRide for rides.
- Members in counties not transitioning until Aug. 1 should continue to contact the same provider they have been for trips occurring in July and call IntelliRide to schedule trips for Aug. 1 or later.
Trip that have already been scheduled with another vendor should be transferred to IntelliRide. Members can call IntelliRide one week before the scheduled appointment to make sure the trip was transferred to IntelliRide. Please help us avoid long wait times for customers who have immediate trip needs--members and others should avoid calling to verify a trip that is more than a week away.
All mileage reimbursements for trips after July 1 should be submitted to IntelliRide regardless of when your county is transitioning.
Contact IntelliRide at 1-855-489-4999 or 303-398-2155 (State Relay: 711) for more information.
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Single Entry Point Transitions
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The Department is currently transitioning five Single Entry Point (SEP) agencies, two were part of the Request for Proposals and three were part of an emergency procurement due to no longer wanting to provide SEP services
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The five agencies and their successors:
- Colorado Access transitioning to Rocky Mountain Human Services
- Mesa County transitioning to Rocky Mountain Health Plans
- San Juan Basin Public Health transitioning to Community Connections Inc.
- Central Mountain Options of Long Term Care transitioning to Starpoint
- Conejos County transitioning to Costilla County
The Department is working closely with all agency transition teams to ensure a smooth transition for all members
.
The Department and all agencies have weekly meetings to ensure everything is on track
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| Helping Uninsured Coloradans |
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Many Coloradans have recently lost their jobs and their health care, and they may not know about all their options. Please help by sharing the information below with your partners and through your communication channels.
Any Coloradan who needs health care coverage should apply for Health First Colorado and CHP+.
- Applications can be submitted any time of the year--there is no enrollment period for Health First Colorado and CHP+
- No one should assume they don't qualify--there are different eligibility categories for different situations. The only way to know for sure is to apply!
- Anyone can apply online at Co.gov/PEAK or by phone at 1-800-221-3943 (Press "1" for phone applications)
- More information for applicants is on our website.
Coloradans can also apply for financial help to purchase private health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado. Anyone can apply within 60 days of a life changing event, including loss of job-based coverage.
Thank you for helping us spread the word!
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The Department is asking for your help. We need your help spreading the word about our need for more Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) providers to deliver care to Coloradans.
We need more providers NOW to help treat the influx of new Health First Colorado members. We are asking you to help us by spreading the word to your network about our immediate need.
As a result of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department is asking health care providers to join us in ensuring all Coloradans have access to quality health care during this public health crisis by becoming a Health First Colorado provider.
Currently, the Department is offering incentives to increase provider enrollment and help provide an important public service. In an effort to increase provider enrollment, the Department is:
- Allowing temporary enrollment for providers during the federally designated COVID-19 emergency.
- Waiving the application fee and fingerprinting process for applicable providers.
- Waiving site surveys for applicable providers.
Key Health First Colorado Provider Benefits
- We Pay FAST: Health First Colorado pays faster than private payers, with claims paid weekly and deposited directly into a business account.
- Enrollment is Quick and Easy: Online enrollment means you can become a provider in just a few weeks.
- Quick Customer Service: Our Provider Services Call Center answers calls in less than two minutes on average and regional provider field representatives are available to assist you with more complex questions.
- Customize Your Patient Experience: As a Health First Colorado provider, you have full control of the number of Health First Colorado patients you see, as well and whether or not your practice is published in our online Provider Directory.
Why Become a Provider?
Becoming a Health First Colorado provider gives you the opportunity to improve the health and well-being of more than one million Coloradans. Health First Colorado is more than health insurance -- it is a vital public service, helping nearly a quarter of our state's residents stay healthy or move toward better health.
If you know someone who might be interesting in becoming a Health First Colorado provider, please ask them to visit the Provider Enrollment website at
co.gov/hcpf/provider-enrollment
or call the Provider Services Call Center at 1-844-235-2387 ,
Option 2, then option 5.
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Resources for Coloradans Impacted by COVID-19
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Onwardco.org can help connect Coloradans with services, funds and jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This resource is the result of collaboration with the Governor's Office, state agencies, community partners and Bitwise Industries. Please visit the website and share with anyone who is struggling, or may need the help: Onwardco.org.
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As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislature convened for an abbreviated session focused on finalizing the state budget and passing legislation to help the state recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
The 2020 legislative session ended on June
15
, 2
020.
The Department would like to thank all legislators for their hard work this session.
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Health Care Affordability
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Hospital Transformation Program Update
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Hospital Workgroup meetings
Hospital Transformation Program (HTP) h
ospital workgroups reconvened virtually on June 18 to discuss updated program components and the HTP portal development
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The Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise (CHASE) Board meeting took place
on Tuesday,
June
2
3
. Additional information about the board and meeting materials is on the
CHASE Board website
.
Community Advisory Council
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Electronic Visit Verification Update
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The Department is moving into the next phase of Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) implementation. EVV is a system which electronically verifies that home or community-based service visits occur by tracking six points of data (including type, date and location of service; individuals receiving and providing the service; and time the service begins and ends).
The EVV Colorado Code of Regulations Rule passed the Medical Services Board for an August 3, 2020 mandate date. On August 3, providers of EVV services will be required to collect EVV data prior to claims submission. This implementation date will allow providers necessary time to incorporate EVV into business practices, prior to the Federal mandate of January 1, 2021.
Beginning on January 1, 2021, claims without corresponding EVV will deny during claims processing. Between August 3, 2020 and January 1, 2021, the Department will outreach providers to deliver technical assistance, helping them comply with the EVV mandate.
For more information, visit the Department's EVV website.
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Home and Community-Based Services Settings Final Rule Update
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Providers of nonresidential and children's residential Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) now have access to
the web-based platform on which they can complete their Provider Transition Plans (PTPs). This part of the PTP platform covers settings where adult day services, specialized habilitation, Supported Community Connections (SCC), prevocational services, day treatment, and group supported employment are provided, as well as certified foster care homes, group homes, kinship homes, residential child care facilities (RCCFs), and Medicaid enrolled providers serving the Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP)
.
If you have not received your Welcome email
(check your spam/quarantine folders)
or need to add users to the platform, please email
[email protected]
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If you were not able to attend a training, t
he Department plans to make a recording available as an ongoing resource. There is also a
User Manual
for your reference.
Providers will have 30 days to submit their initial PTPs and additional time over the following months to implement their remedial action plans and submit updates demonstrating that they have done so. If you need additional time to complete your initial PTPs or your updates, please contact your Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) staff lead (listed on your PTPs).
Please note that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has not extended the deadline for statewide compliance with the HCBS Settings Final Rule.
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Person-Centered Budget Algorithm Technical Advisory Group Applications Open
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The Department is working with Optumas to develop a Person-Centered Budget Algorithm (PCBA) for Health First Colorado Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs.
The PCBA is intended to help identify the right amount of support for individuals based on assessed need, preferences, and strengths. The PCBA will be an important component of the person-centered support planning process to ensure a consistent, objective, and transparent method for assigning budgets for all individuals receiving HCBS.
The Department is seeking applications for Technical Advisory Groups to work with Optumas on the development of the PCBA. Applications are due July 15. In addition to the Technical Advisory Groups, the Department and Optumas will be holding Statewide Stakeholder Meetings to inform and gather feedback from the broader stakeholder community.
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Post Award Forum on the Progress of Colorado's Title XXI Section 1115 Demonstration
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| The
Child Health Plan
CHP+) webpage now includes a presentation on Colorado's Title XXI Section 1115 Demonstration - Adult Prenatal Coverage in Child Health Plan Plus (Project Number 21-W-0001 4/8). The presentation covers the demonstration's progress, interim results, and instructions on how to submit comments.
Anyone interested in learning about the demonstration or providing comments or feedback is encouraged to visit the webpage.
Comments, concerns or issues submitted by July 10 will be included in the demonstration's future progress reports under the post award forum section.
For more information, contact Jeff Jaskunas. |
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At a Glance
