Livewire: Health can't wait on prior authorization; plus, Lunch and Learn

March 2023

CMS launches Health Can't Wait Colorado

We need your prior authorization stories

Advocating for reducing administrative burdens is a top priority for Colorado Medical Society. To advance these goals, we have launched Health Can't Wait Colorado to advocate and build a coalition to fight against undue administrative burdens such as prior authorization that delay patient care.

We need stories from patients, physicians and office staff; share your experience through our stories form
Join us! Add your practice or organization to our coalition page; email jennifer_armstrong@cms.org

Public Health Emergency is ending; help keep Coloradans covered

The Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 is expected to end May 11, 2023, and with it comes the end of expanded eligibility for your patients who are covered by Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) estimates 325,000 Coloradans may no longer qualify for safety net coverage and the department has asked providers and practices to help keep Coloradans covered.

Ask patients to update their address with the state
Educate yourself and share information on the renewal process
Help connect disenrolling Coloradans to other sources of affordable coverage; share the Colorado Division of Insurance Types of Health Insurance Information page

More information

What's not changing?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the following will not be affected by the end of the PHE:

Major Medicare telehealth flexibilities
Medicaid telehealth flexibilities
Access to buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment in Opioid Treatment Programs
Access to expanded methadone take-home doses for opioid use disorder treatment

Wednesday, March 29, 12-1 p.m.

The Colorado Medical Society is proud to host a Partners in Medicine Lunch & Learn webinar with Mary Jo Heins of Medicare Insurance Help. Your patients are confused about Medicare (yes, quite the understatement!). Join Mary Jo Heins for an inside look at Medicare and what she wished she had known when she worked in a medical practice. Mary Jo will break down Medicare into language you can use with your patients.

Mary Jo Heins comes from medical practice background. She spent 15 years managing a variety of medical practices and served as the president of the Colorado Medical Group Management Association during that time. Mary Jo is an independent insurance agent, contracted with a dozen insurance companies, but does not work for them. Mary Jo’s interests include biking, scuba diving and working with her favorite non-profit, CrossPurpose, which helps people escape poverty through personal and career development.

COPIC opioid seminars for 2023 licensure renewal

Two one-hour virtual seminars; attendees will receive 1 COPIC point and 1.0-hour of CME for attending

COPIC is pleased to offer virtual presentations regarding opioids that providers may use to meet the two hours of training requirements as stated by the Colorado Medical Board for licensure renewal in 2023. There is no cost to attend these, and one COPIC point will be awarded per session for eligible insureds.

Opioid Management: A Practical Approach to a National Crisis - March 21, April 26
Opioid Crisis: Strategies for Reducing the Burden - March 22, April 26

On-demand CMS webinar: The use of analytics in improving service

The Colorado Medical Society hosted a webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 28 -- Using data to improve the physician-patient visit experience. Speaker David Newhouse, MD, MPH, MBA, FACOG, a retired obstetrician-gynecologist, used data and his personal experience to demonstrate how acknowledging bias and implementing culturally sensitive communication can improve patient outcomes and allow for career advancement. The webinar recording is not certified for AMA PRA Category 1 credit™.

View the on-demand webinar here

CDPHE recommending expanded syphilis testing

Due to rising rates of congenital syphilis reported in infants and women of reproductive age in Colorado, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will release new guidance for expanded testing for pregnant women in Colorado. The agency recommends screening all pregnant patients at the first prenatal visit and again early in the third trimester; retesting at delivery if a patient lives in a community with high rates of syphilis (Pueblo, Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson and El Paso counties); and in the emergency department or urgent care setting, confirming syphilis status of pregnant patients if she has not received prior prenatal care. A complete guide to these recommendations will be released through a HAN advisory in the next few weeks.

Thanks to our Partners in Medicine, who support Colorado physicians and practices!

Job board

Looking for a physician to share office space in the Midtown Medical Building, Located in Denver; Ideal for Concierge/DPC; 2 exam rooms, 2 offices; could share expenses and provide some cross coverage; Available immediately; please contact Dr. Michael Keller at 720-600-0802.

Position available: Family Practice or Internal Medicine trained physician in Southern Colorado. Read more here.

A longtime internal medicine physician in Rifle, Colo., will retire in the next year and is looking for a physician to take over the practice who is committed to serving a rural population. The sale of the practice includes the building. If interested, please call 970-625-5521.

Physician office space to share, available July 1, 2022, in renovated house on South Wadsworth Blvd. near Alameda Ave. Read more here.

Place a job board advertisement by contacting dianna_fetter@cms.org.

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