November 2022

NEW Primary Care and Behavioral Health Provider Newsletter

A monthly collection of must-know information and resources

In this issue:

Provider Resources and Information

  • November is Diabetes Awareness Month
  • Dollars to Digitize Grant Program
  • Mental Health Grant Program for Rural Colorado and Agricultural Communitites
  • Care Forward Colorado-Free Training to Become a Health Care Worker
  • Colorado Cash Back Refund for Health First Colorado Members
  • Discounted Internet Service
  • Ensuring Full Continuum Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Benefits
  • Remind Members to Update Their Contact Information
  • Updated Uniform Service Coding Standards Manual
  • ICYMI: RAE Roundtable Resources
  • Provider Handbooks
  • Member Complaint and Appeal Information for Providers

Public Health Information

  • New COVID-19 Counseling Codes
  • Flu Season Is Here
  • Monkeypox Resources
  • Become a Monkeypox Vaccine Provider
  • Stay Updated on the Public Health Emergency Declaration
  • COVID-19 Outpatient Therapeutics Flowsheets and Resources
  • Colorado COVID-19 Health Care Provider Vaccine Information Toolkit
  • COVID-19 Therapeutics Program For Health Care Providers
  • Statewide COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Upcoming Webinars / Events

Provider Resources and Information

NOVEMBER IS DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH


The American Diabetes Association promotes American Diabetes Month in November to raise awareness about diabetes and share helpful resources. Check out and share these resources from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It’s also a great time to explore the Healthy People 2030 Diabetes objectives, which aim to reduce the burden of diabetes and improve the lives of people living with the condition. Finally, be sure to share our consumer-friendly MyHealthfinder diabetes resources.


The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment provides substantial resources regarding Diabetes' impact on Colorado, general information, youth resources, financial assistance and medical supplies, programs and self-management tools.

DOLLARS TO DIGITIZE GRANT PROGRAM


Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) and the Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI)  are awarding $18 million through an American Rescue Plan Act grant to home and community-based service (HCBS) and behavioral health providers to enhance and strengthen their services through digital technology through the "Dollars to Digitize" campaign. Intent to Apply applications close November 18, 2022. Learn more about ARPA 6.06 program via the grant website or contact gov.arpa.oehi@state.co.us.

MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM FOR RURAL COLORADO AND AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES--APPLICATION DEADLINE NOVEMBER 7


Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has a new grant program to support mental health services to rural Colorado and agricultural communities. The grant objectives are to increase awareness of mental health services, provide or help facilitate mental health services, and continue efforts to destigmatize mental health. The proposal should be between $25,000-$100,000 and funds need to be expended before June 30th, 2023. The application process opened on October 3rd and the application is posted on CDA's website. Applicants can learn more about this grant opportunity at ag.colorado.gov/rural-mental-health and questions can be sent to Kristen Boysen at kristen.boysen@state.co.us

CARE FORWARD COLORADO--FREE TRAINING TO BECOME A HEALTH CARE WORKER


Care Forward Colorado 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. 

COLORADO CASH BACK REFUND FOR HEALTH FIRST COLORADO MEMBERS


Please help us get out the message to Health First Colorado members that it’s not too late to file your taxes and get your Colorado Cash Back refund. Coloradans can file taxes up to Oct. 17, 2022, to get their tax rebate of $750 for individuals and $1,500 for joint filers, in addition to the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit for eligible Coloradans. On Oct. 8, Coloradans ages 18 and older who were full-year residents in 2021 can go to one of nine Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites across the state and get free, in-person help with their taxes. Please share information about filing taxes on Get Ahead Colorado’s website

DISCOUNTED INTERNET SERVICE


The Affordability Connectivity Program offers people who qualify up 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.

ENSURING FULL CONTINUUM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) BENEFITS

 

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (the Department) is committed to better health outcomes for the whole person by offering a full range of healthcare services for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) members. Health First Colorado members get physical health and dental services and are also eligible for behavioral health services, which include substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Behavioral health services including SUD treatment are available to all members without the need for a referral or copay. Click here to be taken to the Department's webpage with more information on this topic.

REMIND MEMBERS TO UPDATE THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION


Please assist members in getting important updates about their health coverage by making sure their mailing address, phone numbers and email addresses are up to date. This is especially important in preparing for the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Members can update their information in any of the following ways:


Please share this flyer (English and Spanish) with your Health First Colorado members. More information to include messaging toolkits can be found here.

UPDATED UNIFORM SERVICE CODING STANDARDS MANUAL


Please utilize the following link for the updated Uniform Service Coding Standards Manual as of October 2022.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: RAE ROUNDTABLE RESOURCES


Here is a link to information that was offered in previous Beacon RAE Roundtables, including the October call information on member services, updated coding manual and provider email update.

PROVIDER HANDBOOKS


As a reminder, you can access The Provider Handbook on Health Colorado's website under the Provider Handbooks & Policies section. Please utilize these resources to answer questions in regards to covered services, claims, provider information, etc.

MEMBER COMPLAINT AND APPEAL INFORMATION FOR PROVIDERS 


Health First Colorado members have the right to file a complaint at any time and also have the right to file an appeal. Please familiarize yourself with the following document in the event a member has questions. You will then be able to direct them appropriately. This can also be found on the Health Colorado, Inc. website.

Public Health Information

NEW COVID-19 COUNSELING CODES


The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing have uploaded new COVID-19 counseling codes that are ready to use. Please reference the links below for more information.


FLU SEASON IS HERE


Click here to be directed to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) webpage where they explain what this year's flu season looks like for Colorado.

MONKEYPOX RESOURCES

 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a webpage with Monkeypox information, resources and vaccine information.

 

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) also has a webpage with local statistics and information as well as a social media tookit which is encouraged to share with the public.

BECOME A MONKEYPOX VACCINE PROVIDER


The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment has provided the resources below for providers who are interested in becoming a Monkeypox vaccine provider.



If you have any questions, email cdphe_covidvax@state.co.us.

STAY UPDATED WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS


Another extension started October 13, 2022, and if extended the full 90 days, runs through January 11, 2022.

Keep updated on the public health emergency declarations for COVID-19 by visiting this site. You are also encouraged to visit the state site as well.

COVID-19 OUTPATIENT THERAPEUTICS FLOWSHEETS AND RESOURCES


The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has provided the following checklists with resource documents which is intended to assist prescribing providers with their assessment of the utilization of these particular therapeutic selections.


COLORADO COVID-19 HEALTH CARE PROVIDER VACCINE INFORMATION TOOLKIT


In an effort to best organize and make readily available the wide array of health care provider vaccine resources, trainings and materials related to the COVID-19 vaccination program, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has created the online Colorado COVID-19 Health Care Provider Vaccine Information Toolkit. The toolkit has a variety of robust elements for providers to use.

COVID-19 THERAPEUTICS PROGRAM FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS


In an ongoing effort to decrease hospitalizations for at-risk Coloradans by ensuring access to COVID-19 therapeutics, we are sharing information provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for health care providers. Included here is updated National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommendations, as well as provider eligibility and enrollment information for both the CDPHE Therapeutics program and Health and Human Services (HHS) Test to Treat program, Health care providers are encouraged to learn more about these lifesaving treatments and talk about them with patients who may be eligible to receive them.

STATEWIDE COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides extensive resources and up to date information regarding the COVID vaccine.


For vaccine information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, visit this webpage.

Upcoming Webinars and Events

NEW!!!  RAE 2 and 4 ALL Provider Roundtable ---2nd Fri of every month at 11am

 

All behavioral health and primary care medical providers are encouraged to attend! Please join the Beacon Colorado Provider Relations team every month for important updates, relevant trainings, resources, and discussion.

 

Click here to join the webinar. 

Or By Telephone:1-669-900-6833---Webinar ID: 995 7438 8100---Passcode: 173943

Visit the HCI website for details on previous calls.

BEACON HEALTH OPTIONS PROVIDER WEBINARS


Every month Beacon hosts several training webinars for providers and staff. Click here to access the webpage and sign up for as many as you like or view the webinar archive. New webinars are posted at the beginning of every month.

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IN OLDER ADULTS--WEBINAR


Join the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as they dive into the emerging SUD treatment and recovery landscape for older adults. An estimated 10.9% of adults 50 and older have a substance use disorder (SUD), but older adults are less likely to seek treatment, even when the evidence shows that they are just as likely to benefit from it.


  • Thursday, November 17, 2022 11am (MST)
  • Click here to register.

PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY UNWIND WEBINAR


The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) will be hosting an informational session on preparing for the end of the Public Health Emergency. This webinar is geared toward community partners such as advocacy organizations, providers, and community organizations who may provide other assistance to Health First Colorado or CHP+ members (housing, social services, etc). The content includes an overview of communication resources for partners to assist members in preparing for and taking part in the renewal process. We’ll also discuss transitions in coverage for members who may no longer qualify for state-administered programs.


Facebook  Instagram  

November 2022