Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM)
Monthly Newsletter
February, 2016
In This Issue
CMMI Approves SIM Operational Plan and Releases Funding for 
Year Two

The SIM Office is thrilled to announce that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has formally approved the SIM Operational Plan, and released funding for year two of the SIM cooperative agreement on February 1, 2016. 

The SIM Operational Plan is a testament to the dedicated work carried out by our stakeholders. To view the 315-page document, please use the link below:

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The Colorado Health Foundation Awards $3 Million to Advance the Integration of Physical and Behavioral Health

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing and the Colorado State Innovation Model Office are partnering with The Colorado Health Foundation to advance the integration of behavioral health care in primary care practices across the state.

The Colorado Health Foundation has awarded the Department a $3 million grant, which will be distributed via a competitive mini-grant process to SIM-participating primary care practices that serve Medicaid and Medicare clients. SIM practices that are actively engaged in practice transformation activities can use the mini-grants to implement innovative strategies that advance integration. 

TriWest Selected to Lead In-State Evaluation for SIM 

TriWest has been selected as the state evaluation vendor for Colorado SIM. A federal evaluation team, led by RTI International, will monitor a core set of cost, utilization and quality measures across SIM states. As part of the in-state evaluation, Colorado SIM will evaluate progress toward meeting its overarching goal through a self-monitoring and evaluation plan that encompasses process, outcomes and rapid-cycle improvement components.   TriWest will work with the federal evaluation team, SIM Office and SIM stakeholders to develop and execute an evaluation plan to assess SIM's goal of improving the health of Coloradans by providing access to integrated physical and behavioral health care services in coordinated systems, with value-based payment structures, for 80% of Colorado residents by 2019. 
Transforming Clinical Practices Initiative (TCPi) Informational Webinars

TCPi Colorado Practice Transformation Network (PTN) presents an opportunity for 2,000 clinicians in Colorado to receive practice support as they prepare for new payment models. All physicians -- primary care and specialists --  are encouraged to stay up to date on Medicare payment reform and consider taking advantage of this federally-funded support to help their practice thrive in the evolving health care landscape.

Join TCPi for a weekly informational webinar on Wednesdays, Feb. 10 - March 2, to learn more about the Transforming Clinical Practices Initiative and the Colorado Practice Transformation Network. 


Colorado Medical Home Community Forum

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the SIM Office  invite you to RSVP for the Colorado
Medical Home Community Forum on March 8, 2016, from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.  


Event details:

Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Address: 4300 Cherry Creek Dr S
Denver, Colorado 80246
D.O.C Room, Building A
Topic:
Supporting integrated care
Presenters:
Nicole King
Interim Operations Manager
SIM Office

Ashlie Brown
SIM Extension Service Director
Colorado Health Institute

Kyle Knierim, MD
University of Colorado

Shannon Breitzman
Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment

JFK Partners and HCP Present a Webinar: Screening, Referral, and Care Coordination in Colorado

JFK Partners and Health Care Program for Children with Special Needs (HCP) invite you to attend a presentation and discussion about the current practices for children's developmental and social-emotional screening, referral, and care coordination in Colorado, with an emphasis on how to support families of children with mental health needs. Examples from community initiatives doing this work will be provided, along with available resources and referral options. 

This webinar is for care coordinators, health department personnel, and other health professionals assisting in the development of plans that support children with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, and/or special health care needs. Anyone is welcome to attend this free webinar. The deadline to register is February 22, 2016.

Please use the links below for more information:


In the News

An Overview of Colorado's Behavioral Health System 
League of Women Voters of Colorado, Behavioral Health Task Force Report, August 2015

Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Health Care Payment Learning & Action Network, Alternative Payment Model Framework and Progress Tracking (APM FPT) Work Group

The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform
SIM is on Twitter
 
The SIM Office is on Twitter! Follow us @SIM_Colorado to read about how Colorado is transforming the way health care is delivered, and stay up to date with the latest SIM news.