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.

Starting September 2, 2021, primary care providers can receive grant funding ranging from up to $60,000 to $120,000 (depending on practice size) to support the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Click here for details on the COVID-19 Primary Care Vaccination Program and how to apply. 

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!

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.

Colorado House Bill 21-1258 established this temporary behavioral health services 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. The program is open to youth 18 years of age or younger or 21 years of age or younger if receiving special education services.

The program, called I Matter, is funded by the Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health. The program provides up to 3 free behavioral health sessions for youth in Colorado and reimburses participating providers, which are licensed clinicians from agencies and independent contractors. The I Matter program also has a statewide public awareness and outreach campaign that includes digital ads on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat, and on-the-ground outreach to schools and youth organizations. Both the awareness campaign and the IMatterColorado.org website were informed by youth feedback.

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. The program is funded until June 30, 2022.

For media or general inquiries about the program, contact elizabeth.owens@state.co.us. To inquire about being a provider within the program, contact providers@imattercolorado.org. To receive help with the website or support in scheduling a session, email support@imattercolorado.org.

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.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has formally extended the Public Health Emergency (PHE). The PHE can be extended for up to 90 days at a time.

For the eighth year in a row, Mental Health America released its annual State of Mental Health in America report, which ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 15 mental health access and prevalence measures. The report illuminates the continuing crisis both in the prevalence of mental health conditions and in access to mental health services. It is clear that we must do more to ensure that Americans are able to lead mentally healthy lives.

Northeast Health Partners 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.

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

Beacon and Northeast Health Partners 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.

Share with your Health First Colorado patients that their mouth plays a big part in keeping them healthy. Oral health has a direct impact on their heart, lungs, and brain! Dentaquest offers this one-pager to prove how intertwined the mouth is to the rest of the body and demonstrates the importance of oral health on the whole body.

Northeast Health Partners provides extensive resources on their website for expecting mothers. Click here to access those resources.

HELP GET THE WORD OUT! FREE HIGHER EDUCATION FOR HEALTH FIRST COLORADO MEMBERS

Members can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at FAFSA.gov or on the myStudentAid mobile app in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Anyone who does not have lawful immigration status or does not qualify for FAFSA can apply for the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA). Please note: students cannot get free money from both FAFSA and CAFSA.

For more information, visit My Colorado Journey or email MCJ@dhe.state.co.us.

This toolkit was created for anyone to use to spread the word that expanded tax credits can help lift up to 40% of Colorado families out of poverty. The toolkit contains English and Spanish language messages, a flyer for distribution in physical settings, and sample newsletter and text message content. Please share with your networks and families who could benefit from these new cash-back resources!

Health First Colorado, Northeast Health Partners and Beacon know that the holidays can be busy and stressful for everyone. They have provided a helpful tip sheet for members to stay safe and healthy during the holidays.

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

Click here to join the webinar.

Visit the NHP website for details on previous calls.

Beacon hosts several provider geared webinars throughout the month that you may find helpful for staff and billing personnel. Click here for the current monthly list as well as archives.

From ECHO Colorado

There will be six weekly virtual sessions on Thursdays from 7am - 8am starting on October 14, 2021.

Click here for more information and to register.

The Mountain Plains Metal Health Technology Transfer Center is hosting this introductory webinar that will bring awareness about perinatal mental health and highlight common perinatal mental health concerns, symptoms, and validated screening tools appropriate for use in multiple settings.

The Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center invites rural behavioral health providers to this webinar on effective ways to prevent farm/ranch suicide.