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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Empowering Members Together
Together, we are helping Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus members get the essential health care services they need, just like Jessica’s family. In our concurrent quest to save Coloradans money during this unique chapter, we also invite you to partner with us on providing the below timely information to our members and other Coloradans on unique economic opportunities to help them thrive.
Free training to become a health care worker. This first opportunity is especially important to help us achieve our shared, health care workforce goals. Specifically, we invite you to join us in promoting tuition-free health care training and education available through Care Forward Colorado, which helps Coloradans qualify for job openings in the health care field: certified nursing assistants, emergency medical techs, medical assistants, dental assistants, phlebotomy techs and pharm techs. These zero-cost, short-term training programs through community and technical colleges can be life-changing, especially for our members. Please consider how you and your organization can communicate this incredible opportunity to help our members and other Coloradans thrive by starting on a new career trajectory in health care. Many thanks to the General Assembly for passing Senate Bill 22-226, signed into law by Gov. Polis, which dedicates $26 million in state recovery dollars to train health care workers.
Discounted internet service. The Affordability Connectivity Program offers people who qualify u p to $30/month discount on internet service, up to $75/month discount on internet service for households on qualifying Tribal lands, and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer or tablet.
Updating members’ contact information and communication preferences. So that members get important updates about their health coverage, please help us make sure we have our members’ most up-to-date mailing address, phone numbers and email address. This is especially important as we prepare for the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Members can update their information in any of the following ways:
3. CHP+ members can call 800-359-1991.
Supported employment for people with disabilities. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which celebrates the contributions of people with disabilities to our workplaces and the economy. A related initiative is the Supported Employment program, which helps Coloradans with disabilities find employment, get reimbursed for professional development and more.
Thank you for all you are doing to help our Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus members rise and thrive through this unique economic chapter. We appreciate your collaborative partnership!
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Community-Based Organization Ambassador Program
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The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (Department), which administers Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program), is working with Colorado communities to start an Ambassador Program. The goal of the Ambassador Program is to work with Health First Colorado members and people who might be eligible for services to improve the letters and other written information the Department uses to communicate with Coloradans about Health First Colorado. The Department is focusing first on Spanish- and Vietnamese-speaking communities.
Ambassadors are people who will help us understand the needs of the communities they live in. They will partner with community organizations that work with Health First Colorado members to help make the information members and people who may be eligible get easy to understand in their native languages and in culturally responsive ways.
Ambassadors will help Health First Colorado with:
- Leading interviews, focus groups and listening sessions
- Getting feedback about the best ways to communicate with members and potential members
- Sharing guidance for policies and programs
- Providing important information to Health First Colorado members and potential members
Ambassadors will be paid an hourly wage and get training and support from the Department.
We are asking for trusted community organizations to contact our subcontractor, Health Management Associates (HMA), if they are interested in supporting the Ambassador Program. This could include hosting an Ambassador or providing information about potential Ambassadors in their community. The program will be run by the Department’s Member Experience team.
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Nonemergency Medical Transport (NEMT) Provider List
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NEMT provider list has received an update! This update has added more providers in the counties outside of the Denver Metro area, with more joining everyday.
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County Director Orientation
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Behavioral Health Secure Transportation Stakeholder Meeting
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The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is hosting the next virtual stakeholder meeting to specifically address Behavioral Health Secure Transportation on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 2 p.m. We will collaborate with the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to present an overview of this new benefit and solicit feedback on implementation concerns.
Behavioral Health Secure Transportation is legislatively mandated by HB 21-1085 and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmental (CDPHE) has written standards in 6 CCR 1011-4. This meeting continues the stakeholder process for Medicaid reimbursement for Behavioral Health Secure Transportation. Behavioral Health Secure Transportation will be paid as a benefit no later than July 1, 2023.
Meeting Information:
Behavioral Health Secure Transportation Stakeholder Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 30 · 2–3 p.m.
Google Meet joining info
Or dial: (US) +1 575-629-0239 PIN: 369 585 771#
Calendar invites available by request.
Please contact Meghan Morrissey for questions or to request reasonable accessibility acommodations.
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Telephonic Signature FAQs
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How-to/training and any reference documentation
There is training on the current CBMS functionality in CoLearn. Search "CDHS & HCPF
Telephonic Signature (SNAP Project CPPM - 4208)." Additional training is in the pipeline for the new enhancements that are being implemented in the February 2023 CBMS build.
Script - regarding recording a conversation
Information about the script is in the current training (listed above) and will be included in the new training.
Point of contact for process questions
Process-type questions will be addressed in an operational memo that HCPF will publish closer to the system build date. Any policy clarification can be sent to the Medicaid Eligibility Inbox. Any questions about the trainings and/or materials can be sent to the SDD inbox.
Walkthrough process
There will be a demo scheduled later in the project schedule before the February 2023 release date. If you’d like to attend, the team can add you to the invite.
Are there any forthcoming demonstrations planned? Several felt like they could use a more thorough walkthrough of the process.
See the response above. This project follows the general build process so counties will be notified of the training schedule, demonstration, etc. September's demonstration to the counties is posted to the HCPF website.
Additionally, some interest has been expressed regarding joining the testing phase, but they are unsure who to contact.
Some counties have already volunteered for testing. If you hear of a county that would like to participate in testing, ask them to contact the Medicaid Eligibility inbox by Nov. 18.
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PHE Unwind Phase 1 Communications Toolkit - Live on the HCPF site!
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Phase 1 of the PHE Unwind communications toolkit is live on the HCPF website. This toolkit will equip partners to understand the renewal process so that they are well prepared to help our members when the PHE unwinds. The toolkit is based on examples and research from CMS and other states, but includes original content and design that was tested with members and reviewed with stakeholders.
Included in the toolkit:
We're especially grateful to the Eligibility and Member Experience teams for their close collaboration on this. We'll be releasing Phase 2 of the toolkit when we receive 60 days notice that the PHE is ending; this will have more member-facing content to encourage action when it's time to renew.
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HCPF - The COVID Unwind Educational Session Webinar
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The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) will host a COVID Unwind Educational Session webinar to prepare eligibility sites for when the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) is announced.
Throughout the COVID-19 PHE period, HCPF adopted many flexibilities offered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Once the PHE ends, the Department must address these flexibilities so that eligibility resumes back to normal operations.
Details: The COVID Unwind Educational Session webinar is geared toward "What to expect when the Public Health Emergency ends" for eligibility sites.
The entire Medicaid caseload, including individuals covered through the continuous coverage provision (also known as the locked-in population), is required to have a renewal completed within 14 months after the end of the PHE to determine updated eligibility.
The educational session will cover what's changing, what's remaining the same, and what eligibility sites need to do when the PHE ends.
Please join the COVID Unwind Educational Session Webinar.
When: Nov. 16, 2022, 1 p.m. MT (U.S. and Canada)
Join the webinar:
Passcode: 503967
Webinar ID: 854 2154 0600
Mobile:
US: +17193594580, 85421540600#, *503967# or +17207072699, 85421540600#, *503967#
Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US:
+1 719 359 4580
+1 720 707 2699
+1 346 248 7799
+1 669 444 9171
+1 253 215 8782
+1 386 347 5053
+1 564 217 2000
+1 646 558 8656
+1 646 931 3860
+1 301 715 8592
+1 309 205 3325
+1 312 626 6799
Toll Free:
833 548 0276
833 548 0282
877 853 5257
888 475 4499
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Temporary Solution to Approve CDHS and HCPF Programs for Ukrainian Huamitarian Parolees
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The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) have collaborated to provide you with instruction on how to temporarily identify Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees on the Noncitizen window of Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS) in order to approve benefits for Adult Financial, Colorado Works, Medical Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for a newly eligible noncitizen population.
Please see below for context and instruction on how to temporarily complete data entry for Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees:
On May 26, 2022, Congress passed the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (AUSAA). This legislation provides that Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees are eligible to receive federal benefits provided they meet all other program eligibility criteria.
Starting May 21, 2022, Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees who have a Date of Entry between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023, are considered qualified noncitizens and do not have to meet an additional condition (such as the five year bar) to be eligible for SNAP, Adult Financial, Colorado Works and Health First Colorado.
Temporary Solution:
A temporary solution has been approved by CDHS and HCPF program areas, which will allow eligible clients/members to be approved for benefits as long as they meet other program eligibility criteria.
The following temporary solution is to be used until the long-term CBMS enhancement is implemented:
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When a client who is a Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee applies for benefits, temporarily enter the noncitizen status as Afghan Humanitarian Parolee.
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The data entry for the Effective Begin Date when using the temporary solution cannot be prior to May 21, 2022.
- Enter the Country of Origin as Ukraine and use the Class Code drop-down OAR PAR DT.
- Remember: the Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee status only applies to individuals who have Entry Dates after Feb. 24, 2022.
- A case comment should be entered in CBMS to document the use of the approved temporary solution.
A CBMS enhancement is in progress to create a new noncitizen value in CBMS that is specific to Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees.
CDHS and HCPF program areas will continue to pursue an automated solution to convert the noncitizen status of Afghan Humanitarian Parolee with a Country of Origin of Ukraine to the new Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee value.
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County Relations Team Introduces
Customer Relationship Management System
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Do you need help? Do you have a question? Does a case need to be escalated? There are two ways you can contact the HCPF County Relations team.
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County Relations Web Form: try this method first. It allows you to enter details to help us resolve your issues.
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County Relations E-mail: You can still contact us by email at hcpf_countyrelations@state.co.us. Your email to us will automatically create a service ticket with your email included. We cannot open encrypted messages within our ticketing system.
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HCPF & County Directors Leadership Monthly Meeting
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The upcoming call will take place on:
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022
1-2:30 p.m.
Sarah Rogers is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: HCPF/County Directors Leadership Monthly Support Call
Time: Nov. 15, 2022, 1 p.m. MT (US and Canada)
Every month on the Third Tuesday, 10 occurrence(s)
Nov. 15, 2022 1 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 857 8199 1367
Passcode: 140393
Dial by your location
877-853-5257 U.S. toll-free
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To view previous meeting details, please follow the below link.
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Recent Memo Series Issued to Counties
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HCPF OM 22-048
The purpose of this Operational Memo is to provide information and guidance about the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing's (HCPF or Department) Overflow Processing Center (OPC). The audience of this memo is all county departments of human/social services, Medical Assistance (MA) Sites and Eligibility Application Partners (EAP), collectively referenced throughout this memo as Eligibility Sites.
This memo details processes for requesting assistance from the OPC and requirements for when a site will be required to partner with OPC as part of an Eligibility Site's Improvement Action or Corrective Action Plan (IAP/CAP). An IAP or CAP is required if the Eligibility Site has been issued a Management Decision Letter (MDL) because of the site's performance on the Medical Assistance Performance (MAP) Dashboards or through a regulatory compliance review as detailed in 10 CCR 2505-5 1.020.10 and 1.020.11.
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Department Contacts & Resources
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