HCI Primary Care Medical Provider Monthly Newsletter
January 2022
IN THIS ISSUE:

Provider Resources:
  • Are You Using the Prescriber Tool?
  • Colorado Selected to Participate in New Alternative Payment Model
  • New Definition of Complex Member
COVID Information:
  • A Message to Providers Regarding Monoclonal Antibodies
  • Vaccines for Children and Teens
  • Vaccination Toolkit for Ages 5-17
  • State to Provide At-home COVID Tests
  • COVID Health Provider Vaccine Toolkit
Member Resources:
  • Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT)
  • Broadband Discount Program
  • Health Colorado Website
  • New Member Webinar
  • Advanced Directives Workshop
Webinars and Events:
  • Diabetes Workgroup January Meeting
  • PCMP Learning Collaborative
  • Improving the Emergency Department Experience For Suicidal Patients and Providers-WEBINAR
  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) FREE IN-PERSON TRAINING
  • Youth Marijuana And Suicide Prevention-LIVE EVENT
ARE YOU USING THE PRESCRIBER TOOL?
 
The Prescriber Tool gives providers real-time information on prescription drug costs and affordable alternatives. The goals of the Prescriber Tool are to help improve patient health outcomes and service, reduce administrative burden for prescribers, improve prescription drug affordability for Coloradans, employers and the state, and support providers with value-based payments  that reward them for addressing the number one contributor to rising health care costs – rising prescription drug costs. 
 
The following affordability functionalities are in approximately 100 electronic health records (EHRs), representing 85% of Medicaid providers, with no click charges: 
 
  • Real-Time E-Prescribing: Prescribers can now send prescriptions electronically to pharmacies for Medicaid patients, increasing convenience and saving time for patients, prescribers and pharmacies.    
  • Real-Time Benefits Inquiry: Prescribers now have rapid insight into preferred medications from the Medicaid preferred drug list, empowering them with drug affordability and cost options.    
  • Real-Time Prior Authorization: Prescribers can now get rapid prior authorizations, reducing workload and avoiding manual entry, forms, faxes, lists and rework.  
  
Enabled for both your Medicaid and commercially covered patients, the Prescriber Tool reduces rework and administrative burden for providers by enabling e-Prescribing and e-Prior Authorization while improving convenience for patients, too. Our intention is to reward prescribers beginning in July of 2022 for using the tool and generating savings during this fiscal year beginning July 2021.
 
Contact your IT Support Staff, EHR Training Team or EHR vendor to access the “Real-Time Prescription Benefit” or “Real-Time Benefit Check” and get training and education materials.
 
Please visit The Prescriber Tool Project for more information.
COLORADO SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN NEW ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT MODEL INITIATIVE

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the State of Colorado, along with Arkansas, California, and North Carolina, have been selected to participate in an initiative to implement alternative payment models (APMs) that improve health care outcomes, equity, and value for all Coloradans. This new partnership with the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network (LAN) initiates State Transformation Collaboratives (STCs) that will accelerate the movement towards alternative payment models that drive higher quality and more equitable care. Read more.
NEW DEFINITION OF COMPLEX MEMBER

As the Regional Accountable Entity (RAE) for Region 4, Health Colorado, Inc. (HCI) is committed to creating a system of care that improves the health of Health First Colorado beneficiaries across our region. For the past few years Health Care Policy and Finance (HCPF) has defined “complex” members as people who have a total cost of care over $25,000 in a rolling 12 months. In an effort to better identify and engage members with complex medical needs and members at risk of advancing illness this definition will change effective January 1, 2022. “Complex” members will be identified using HCI’s predictive analytic tool. Please click on the links below for more information.


If you have any questions, please contact Alma Mejorado at alma.mejorado@beaconhealthoptions.com.
COVID
A MESSAGE TO PROVIDERS REGARDING MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES

Click here for a letter from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Peter Walsh.
VACCINES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

Children age 5 years and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine which is the strongest layer of protection we can offer children against COVID-19. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) is partnering with Children's Hospital Colorado in various areas to offer vaccines for children. Click here for more information, resources, and where to get children vaccinated.
VACCINATION TOOLKIT FOR 5-17 YEAR OLDS

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) has created a toolkit with resources for providers, local public health agencies, educators, parents/guardians, and partners to be used for promotion, outreach, and education purposes. The toolkit includes guidance for parents, talking points, and graphics as well as sample texts, emails, social media posts, and letters. The toolkit can be accessed HERE.
STATE TO PROVIDE RAPID AT-HOME TESTS AT NO COST

Colorado is distributing free rapid COVID-19 over the counter (OTC) self tests directly to people’s homes. The program uses Abbott BinaxNOW™ rapid antigen tests that show results within 15 minutes. The program has been specifically designed to provide parents, guardians, and caregivers some peace of mind by making it easy to test school-aged children and help keep schools open. Individuals must apply through the CDPHE rapid at-home testing program website. Share this widely with your patients.
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, 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. Please share!
Health Colorado Member Resources
Beacon and Health Colorado would like to give their providers important resources to share with members.
EARLY AND PERIODIC SCREENING, DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT (EPSDT)

The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit provides free, comprehensive and preventive health care services for children and youth ages 20 and under including adults who are pregnant, who are enrolled in Medicaid. EPSDT is key to ensuring that children and youth receive appropriate preventive, dental, mental health, developmental and specialty services. Click here for more detailed information.
BROADBAND DISCOUNT PROGRAM
 
Please help spread the word about the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB). It gives a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Anyone who gets cellular from the Lifeline program, free and reduced-priced school lunch or school breakfast program, SNAP, or Health First Colorado may qualify. People who have recently lost their job or had a large loss of income, or who receive Federal Pell Grants may also qualify.
 
People who qualify can get:
  • Up to $50 per month discount on broadband service or up to $75 per month discount if their household is on Tribal lands
  • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer.
 
For more information, call 833-511-0311 or visit fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit.
HEALTH COLORADO WEBSITE

Health Colorado's website provides many resources for members to access to keep up with their health and wellness. Get access to all things member related here and share as needed.
HEALTH COLORADO: WHERE DO I START? WEBINAR

Beacon and Health Colorado will assist with questions new members have regarding Medicaid benefits.
YOUR CHOICE, YOUR VOICE: LIFE CARE PLANNING ADVANCE DIRECTIVES VIRTUAL WORKSHOP

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.
Webinars / Events
DIABETES WORK GROUP JANUARY MEETING

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 12 - 1pm (MST)

Diabetes Clinical Guidelines presented by:
Dr. Brian Hill, VP Medical Director/Chief Clinical Officer

Spotlight on provider best practice in our region, Dani Kerns, RN/Care Manager, First Street Family Health

Continuous Glucose Monitor Program Presentation by Allyson Gottsman:
Practice Innovation Program at CU
Colorado Health Extension System (CHES)
Department of Family Medicine
School of Medicine – Anschutz Medical Campus
 
CME and Certificate of Course Completion available

Contact your Transformation Coach for the call-in information for this meeting.
PCMP LEARNING COLLABORATIVE

Thursday, March 10, 2022 12 - 1pm (MST)

Focus will be on the patient experience.

Contact your Transformation Coach for the call-in information for this meeting.
IMPROVING THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT EXPERIENCE FOR SUICIDAL PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS--WEBINAR

Jaspr Health, Zero Suicide Institute’s first digital health partner, is a digital suicide-care platform developed collaboratively by suicide prevention experts, people with lived experience, and healthcare providers. Its automated, evidence-based protocols improve the patient experience, optimize provider care, and empower health systems to reduce their risks and costs, ultimately saving lives.
 
Please join as they review Jaspr’s recent randomized control trial data and tour its features, including:
  • Automated Assistant that helps people in suicide crisis with immediate, on-demand evidence-based suicide risk assessment, lethal means counseling, and crisis stability/safety planning
  • Comfort & Skills library with activities drawn to help patients stabilize the crisis and learn coping strategies for the future 
  • Shared Stories library from survivors with lived experiences to give guidance, inspire hope and create meaningful connections 
  • Jaspr At Home, a free companion mobile app that provides ongoing evidence-based support during the high-risk period that follows hospital discharge.

Tuesday, January 11, 2022 10am (MST) Click here to register for this free webinar.
APPLIED SUICIDE INTERVENTION SKILLS TRAINING (ASIST) FREE IN-PERSON TRAINING

Partners for Children’s Mental Health will be hosting a free Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) in Colorado Springs early next year. ASIST is an internationally acclaimed two-day workshop in suicide first aid featuring powerful audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations. Participants learn how to recognize signs of suicide risk, effectively intervene, and develop a safety plan to keep someone alive. 
Seating is limited so sign up today!

  • Date/time: Feb. 2-3; 9am – 4pm (MT)
  • Location: Penrose House, 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
  • Cost: Free! (course valued at $300/participant)
  • Click here to learn more and register.
YOUTH MARIJUANA AND SUICIDE PREVENTION--LIVE EVENT
Hosted by Johnny's Ambassadors, Inc.

Johnny's Ambassadors educates the public about the dangers of today's high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide. Join Laura Stack, Founder and CEO of Johnny's Ambassadors:

  • Learn About the High-Potency Marijuana Products Used by Today’s Youth
  • See the Results of Legalizing Medical Marijuana for 18-Year-Old’s in Colorado
  • Understand How Adolescent Marijuana Use Can Lead to Mental Illness and Psychosis
  • Understand the Connection Between Marijuana and Suicide in Youth

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 6pm-7:30pm (MST)
LIVE EVENT: Cornerstone Church, 9941 Lone Tree Pkwy, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Click here for more information and to register. Livestream is also available on the link.