Please make sure that the information is updated or current in the provider directory with your contact information, specialty, cultural competency, ADA compliance, and all other categories. This is to ensure appropriate referral information can be provided to members. Here is the link to update your information in Provider Connect.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It's just as important as physical health and can be affected by many factors. Family history, trauma, exposure to violence, food and housing insecurity, discrimination, poverty, and other experiences can all play a role in mental health. The good news is that people with mental health conditions can heal and thrive, and there are many ways to support yourself, your loved ones and your patients. Below are resources from Mental Health America and NAMI:

Colorado is busy preparing for the launch of 988, the new, nationwide, three-digit phone number for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. Colorado's call line vendor, Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners (RMCP), is ramping up its hiring of new crisis counselors and peer support positions. Visit RMCP's website to apply. Commissioner Medlock recently explained to USA Today how Colorado is preparing and why new funding is critical for states' ability to meet demand. Note that 988 is expected to be fully operational by July 16, 2022. Coloradans may continue to call 844.493.TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255 for 24/7 crisis support from Colorado Crisis Services. Learn more on the State's 988 web page.

On March 24th and 31st, Lt. Governor Primavera, Health Cabinet executive directors and industry leaders for the Health Cabinet Policy Summit was hosted by the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing. Topics included health care affordability for Coloradans, behavioral health transformation, Hospital Insights Report findings, COVID-19 pandemic to endemic, future readiness, and keeping Coloradans covered after the public health emergency. Please visit this link to view materials from the summit.

Here is a link to resources that were offered in previous month's Beacon roundtables including information on Mindsource, trauma brain injury, and psychiatric rehabilitation.

Colorado House Bill 21-1258 established this temporary program to provide access to mental health and substance use disorder services for youth, including addressing needs that may have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2021, Governor Jared Polis signed the bipartisan legislation, which dedicated $9 million to the program as part of the Polis-Primavera administration’s Colorado Comeback roadmap. I Matter is funded and administered by the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH). The program is funded until June 30, 2022. For more information and to help raise awareness, visit this link.

CHI has released their 2022 agenda for addressing health care in Colorado. They have included three focuses:

Visit this link to learn more about these initiatives and other resources.

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.

One of the Governor's 'Wildly Important Goals' this fiscal year is to add 950 behavioral health providers to serve Medicaid members statewide. Please share this provider recruitment letter encouraging other providers to consider enrolling as a Health First Colorado provider. Refer new providers to this link to join our network.

The Colorado office of Behavioral Health stands in solidarity with people who have family in Ukraine, were born in Ukraine or have been through war. Colorado Crisis Services crisis counselors and peer specialists are available 24/7 to speak with anyone struggling with the events unfolding in Ukraine. Reach out at 844.493.8255. Translation services in more than 200 languages, including Ukrainian and Russian, are available upon request. Visit the Office of Behavioral Health's Find Behavioral Health Help web page to find a provider in your community.

Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), a peer-led program that gives members the tools they need to stay healthy after leaving your care to help members reach their goals of mental and physical wellbeing. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s intense, two-day training program empowers your peer counselors to play a critical role in treating\ members whose mental health challenges are compounded by conditions like diabetes, heart disease and obesity. They will learn how to identify members' strengths, develop a realistic action plan, and help members create and sustain new health behaviors through self-management. Use this link to sign up to train your peer counselors in WHAM to give your members the confidence to manage their whole health.

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) has unveiled the "Update Your Address Campaign" for Health First Colorado. The purpose of this campaign is to encourage members and stakeholders to update their contact information, and provide clear instructions for the process. The messaging is available at the below links on the HCPF website:

•      Member Page

•      Provider/Stakeholder Page

In March 2022, a new redetermination process for all Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members was implemented.  For more information on how this impacts providers and why it is important, see the Renewal Revamp presentation, workbook and FAQ on HCPF's Eligibility Partner Trainings webpage or view the Renewal Guidance for Medical Assistance Memo. Refer individuals to this link for information on finding a provider within your region.

Beacon and Health Colorado will assist with questions new members have regarding Medicaid benefits.

Beacon and Health Colorado invites anyone to participate in this "working" workshop where forms are available for members to state their wishes if they were unable to communicate them.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released the 15th Amended Public Health Order 20-38, extending the order for four weeks through May 13, 2022. 

The public health order is effective until May 13, 2022 unless extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing. Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

Throughout the pandemic, Coloradans saved countless lives by getting tested and vaccinated and following public health protocols. Governor Polis and administration officials outlined “Colorado’s Next Chapter: Our Roadmap to Moving Forward” and discussed the steps the administration believes are necessary to maintain a level of preparedness and agility that will keep Coloradans Safe and health. Click here to read the official roadmap.

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.

PROVIDER CONNECT AUTHORIZATIONS

This live Beacon training will provide an overview of billing and claims information and how to submit claims to Beacon Health Options along with reviewing best practices and avoiding claim denials.

Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are conditions in which people live that affect their health risks and outcomes in a variety of ways. In this 2 hour webinar, attendees with learn to identify SDoH and understand how they affect physical and behavioral health disparities and outcomes. We will also explore ways to assess and address SDoH in practice. No CE credit or certification is associated with this training.

The purpose of the health equity public meetings is to provide space for providers, members, and community stakeholders to learn about HCPF's Health Equity Plan, and to provide input and feedback. Their goal is to establish the current state of health equity, and strategically look at innovative ways to improve health outcomes and decrease health disparities for our members in Colorado. Download this brochure for more information.

RAE ROUNDTABLE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH---2nd Friday of every month at 11am

Please click here to join the webinar:

Visit the HCI website for details on previous calls.