HCI Primary Care Medical Provider Monthly Newsletter
June 2021
LOOKING TO IMPLEMENT TEAM BASED CARE?

The Colorado Health Foundation is offering funding opportunity to support safety net clinics in receiving technical assistance (TA) to improve their clinical and business capacity so they can offer high-quality, team-based comprehensive primary care. The Foundation will fund clinics up to $125,000 over the two-year period to support clinic staff participation in the funding opportunity and any education and travel-related expenses associated with implementing team-based care.
 
Have questions? They are available to talk through your ideas and encourage you to connect with them before applying for funding. If you don’t already work with a program officer, please reach out by email at funding@coloradohealth.org or by phone at 303-953-3600, and be sure to note the county you work in and the focus area of interest.
 
Deadline for application is October 15, 2021. Here is the link to the opportunity.
MEMBERS NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE TO GET TO THEIR APPOINTMENTS

A Health First Colorado (Medicaid) member who needs transportation through IntelliRide to get to their appointment with you will not be approved for the transportation if the servicing address is not listed with the state. Please take a moment to ensure your service locations match with the state’s database so members can get to their appointments with you. Should you need to make updates, visit the Provider Enrollment webpage and contact the Provider Services Call Center listed on the enrollment page if you need assistance. IntelliRide’s toll-free phone 1-855-489-4999.
VERIFY MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY WITHOUT ID CARD

Providers are reminded that members do not need to present their Health First Colorado ID cards to receive services. The Health First Colorado Member Handbook states that members only need their date of birth and either their Social Security number or Health First Colorado ID Number (Medicaid ID). Providers should check eligibility via the Provider Web Portal, Integrated Voice Response (IVR) System or batch.
BILLING HEALTH FIRST COLORADO MEMBERS FOR SERVICES

It is important that all health care providers know that Health First Colorado members cannot be billed for services covered by Health First Colorado. Please visit this policy statement for more detailed information.
REMINDER REGARDING PRACTICE AND/OR PROVIDER UPDATES

To be able to provide our Health First Colorado Medicaid members with accurate provider information and to ensure network adequacy, we ask that providers notify Beacon of changes to their practice and practitioners within 30 days of change. Please complete the PCMP Adds, Changes and Deletes form and submit to Healthcolorado@beaconhealthoptions.com. Please make sure to fill in all the fields noted in each section as this will ensure timely processing of your submission.
Should you have questions about the template or submission guidelines, please feel free to email Alma Mejorado at alma.mejorado@beaconhealthoptions.com.
Upcoming Events and Webinars
HCI PRIMARY CARE MEDICAL PROVIDER LEARNING COLLABORATIVE
PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (PIAC)
CULTURAL COMPETENCY--A free, comprehensive online training provided by The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

  • Click here for more information and to sign up.
COVID
ENROLL YOUR PRIMARY CARE PRACTICE IN THE COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM

As a trusted source of information for their patients, primary care providers play an important role in the effort to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake in our state. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is inviting your primary care practice to enroll in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program as part of its efforts to quickly mobilize additional COVID-19 vaccine providers across the state and to increase access to COVID-19 vaccination for all Coloradans. As we transition from a mass vaccination model to more provider-focused efforts, we need your help now more than ever. Click here for more information and the program requirements.
STATE BEGINS OUTBOUND CALLS TO ENCOURAGE VACCINATION

On June 21, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) began making outgoing phone calls to Colorado residents age 18 and older who had not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine. Callers will provide information about vaccination, help with scheduling appointments at local vaccine locations, and answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Click here to read more.
Member Resources
LIFE CARE PLANNING ADVANCE DIRECTIVES VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
A monthly workshop hosted by Health Colorado and Beacon

  • Providers, Care Coordinators, and Members are invited to participate in this "working" workshop where forms are available for members to state their wishes if they were unable to communicate them.
  • The last Thursday of each month
  • 2 sessions are available: 11:30am-1:00pm AND 6:30pm-8:00pm
  • Click here for the call-in information and to access to the materials.
Health Colorado and Beacon host a monthly webinar: WELCOME TO HEALTH FIRST COLORADO Q & A WEBINAR FOR MEMBERS
  • The first Thursday of each month
  • 2 webinar times are available: 11am-12pm AND 6pm-7pm
  • Click here for the flyer and call-in information
EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM COMING SOON

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the application window for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) will open soon. The EBB Program was created to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The benefit will provide up to $50 per month for broadband service for eligible households, up to $75 per month for households on tribal lands, and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a single laptop, desktop computer or tablet. Eligibility criteria includes one or more members of a household:

  • Qualifies for the FCC's existing Lifeline program
  • Receives benefits under a free and reduced-price school lunch program or school breakfast program
  • Lost employment or experienced a substantial loss of income since Feb. 29, 2020
  • Is a student who receives a Federal Pell Grant
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for your participating internet provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program

For more information, call 833-511-0311 or visit GetEmergencyBroadband.org/how-to-apply.