In this issue:

• Public Health Information
• Vaccines for Kids Communication Toolkit
• Influenza and RSV
• Monkey Pox Resources
• WHO Recommends Renaming Monkey Pox
• COVID-19 Therapeutics Program for Health Care Providers
• Public Health Emergency Information -- Planning and Renewals
• Colorado COVID-19 Health Care Provider Vaccine Information Toolkit
• Statewide COVID-19 Vaccine Information
• Colorado Healthcare Respiratory Toolkit
• Provider Resources and Information
• February is American Heart Month
• Supporting Providers of Color Webinar
• CAHPS Member Survey Information
• Changes to the Uniform Service Coding Manual Standard
• Provider Services Call Center Verification Update
• Online PCP Toolkit for Behavioral Health Care Management
• Member Complaint and Appeal Information for Providers
• Provider Handbooks
• Focus on the Member Resources
• Upcoming events and webinars

INFLUENZA AND RSV

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released a press release with information about what to expect this flu season. Please visit CDPHE’s webpage for the latest information on influenza trends and activity throughout Colorado.  You may also visit this webpage from the CDPHE with information on RSV and the flu in Colorado.

WHO RECOMMENDS RENAMING MONKEY POX

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a transition from "Monkey Pox" to the term "mpox". This transition will happen gradually over the next year; details of which are depicted further in this article.

PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY INFORMATION--PLANNING AND RENEWALS

Another extension started January 11, 2023, and if extended the full 90 days, runs through April 11, 2023. HHS has confirmed that they will provide 60 days advance notice before an end to the PHE. If the PHE will end on April 11, 2023, we expect to receive 60 days advance notice by Feb. 10, 2023.

Although the PHE was extended, Congress passed legislation that ends the continuous coverage requirement, allowing states to resume their eligibility renewal process for Medicaid members. This means members who are no longer eligible for Health First Colorado or fail to return renewal paperwork, may lose their benefits. Colorado intends to follow federal guidance and plans to take 12 months (14 months including noticing) to renew members based on their annual renewal date. It will be critical for members to complete renewal packets when their renewal is due. Please be sure to remind members to update their contact information to ensure they receive their renewal packets in a timely manner. For more information on what to do to help members, please visit the PHE Planning page on the HCPF website. 

STATEWIDE COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides extensive resources and up to date information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. 

• Colorado Vaccine Providers Listed by County
• Mobile Vaccination Clinics
• Transportation to Vaccine Sites
• COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
• Learn About COVID-19 Vaccines
• Vaccine Data Dashboard
• Omicron Doses-Talking Points
• For vaccine information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, visit this webpage.

COLORADO HEALTH CARE RESPIRATORY VIRUS TOOLKIT

The Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment created a respiratory virus toolkit.

Respiratory viruses, including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), flu, and COVID-19 are spreading across Colorado and the nation. Below is some helpful information for providers to share with members:

• Getting vaccinated. Both flu and COVID-19 have effective, safe vaccines. Anyone 6 months and older can get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19. It is safe to get the vaccines together.  
• Seeing or calling a health care provider or doctor before going to a busy emergency department when you or your child has respiratory symptoms. Your provider can help you determine the best ways to manage symptoms and when it is important to be seen in the clinic, urgent care, or emergency department.
• Staying home when sick, including not visiting or interacting with people who may be at higher risk, including older adults, young children, and infants. What might feel like a mild cold for one person can be very serious for another person. This is important to preventing the spread of viruses and causing outbreaks, which put additional strain on the hospital system. 
• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol. 
• Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or upper arm sleeve when you cough or sneeze, throw away the tissue after you use it, and clean hands as instructed above.
• Cleaning potentially contaminated surfaces, like doorknobs, tables, handrails, etc. 
• Avoiding sharing cups, eating utensils, and touching your face with unwashed hands. 

FEBRUARY IS AMERICAN HEART MONTH

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to heart attack. February is American Heart Month, a time when all people can focus on their cardiovascular health. This year the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention is shining a light on hypertension (high blood pressure), a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Please visit the CDC’s Heart Disease webpage for useful toolkits and extensive resources to share.

SUPPORTING PROVIDERS OF COLOR WEBINAR

When health care professionals reflect the communities they serve, it leads to greater health equity, enhanced patient care, and improved health outcomes. This webinar from the Center of Health Care Strategies will explore innovations in recruitment, training, and retention that can lead to a more representative and supported pediatric workforce. It will also discuss anti-racist training opportunities for pediatric staff and residents to better serve children most impacted by structural racism.

You may also reference the presentation slides for this webinar.

CAHPS MEMBER SURVEY INFORMATION

The State of Colorado will be administering the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Clinician and Group Survey (CG-CAHPS) beginning December 20th, 2022, and concluding on May 23rd, 2023. We would like to inform providers of the possibility that Health First Colorado members attributed to your practice may be identified as a survey respondent for the CAHPS survey.

Please encourage your Health First Colorado Members to complete the CG-CAHPS, if surveyed. More information about to assist members to complete this survey can be found in the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Clinician and Group Survey (CG-CAHPS) memo.

CHANGES TO THE UNIFORM SERVICE CODING MANUAL STANDARD

The following changes are effective January 1, 2023, and are included in the January 2023 edition of the Uniform Service Coding Standards Manual (USCM).

• Place of Service (POS) 18 “Place of Employment – Worksite” has been added to codes 97537, H2023 and H2025.
• Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes 99217–99220, 99224-99226, 99241, 99251, 99318, 99324-99328, and 99334 – 99337 are no longer in the USCM. These codes should not be billed for dates of service from January 1, 2023, forward. 
• Substance Use Disorder (SUD) diagnoses are no longer excluded from Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) code H0018.  

PROVIDER SERVICES CALL CENTER VERIFICATION UPDATE

An additional verification will soon be required when a provider contacts the Provider Services Call Center. The fiscal agent is now asking for the caller to provide an 8- to 10-digit Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) ID and the National Provider Identification (NPI) (if applicable) to release Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protected information.

Providers whose enrollment types or specialties do not require an NPI may authenticate using their Health First Colorado ID only. If the caller is a submitter or trading partner calling for electronic data interchange (EDI) support, the term “EDI” can be used in order to be directed into the correct queue. Once connected to an agent, the Trading Partner ID (TPID) will be required for authentication.

ONLINE PCP TOOLKIT FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT



Primary care providers and primary care settings can serve a critical role in the identification and treatment of behavioral health conditions in Health First Colorado members. Beacon Health Options (Beacon) has created this toolkit that can assist primary care physicians with the identification and next steps in treatment of behavioral health conditions.  For more information, the online PCP toolkit can be accessed online

MEMBER COMPLAINT AND APPEAL INFORMATION FOR PROVIDERS 

Health First Colorado members have the right to file a complaint and/or appeal at any time. For information about this process, please review this information to assist members with questions. This information can also be located on the Northeast Health Partners' website.

PROVIDER HANDBOOKS

As a reminder, you can access both the primary care provider and behavioral health provider handbooks on Northeast Health Partners' website under the Provider Handbooks & Policies section. Please utilize these resources to answer questions in regards to member services, provider information, key performance indicators, etc.

For questions, please email coproviderrelations@beaconhealthoptions.com.

WOMEN'S SEXUAL HEALTH TIPS

Northeast Health Partners developed a Women’s Sexual Health tip-sheet for Health First Colorado members to provide members with information regarding the importance sexual health, services covered by Health First Colorado, and how to seek assistance regarding sexual health. The tip-sheet is offered in both English and Spanish and can be located on Northeast Health Partners’ website.

FAMILY PLANNING RESOURCES

Northeast Health Partners developed a Family Planning tip-sheet for Health First Colorado members to provide members with information about family planning resources, services covered by Health Fist Colorado, and how to seek care for family planning services. The tip-sheet is offered in both English and Spanish and can be located on Northeast Health Partners’ website

EARLY AND PERIODIC SCREENING, DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT (EPSDT)

Northeast Health Partners developed an Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) tip-sheet for Health First Colorado members to provide members with information regarding the comprehensive and preventive health care services offered by the Health First Colorado program (Colorado Medicaid) for members ages 20 and under. For more information, the tip-sheet can be located on Northeast Health Partners’ website 

NORTHEAST HEALTH PARTNERS' WEBSITE

Northeast Health Partners' website provides many resources for members to access to keep up with their health and wellness. Please share this information as needed.

CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC CRITERIA UPDATE WEBINAR

On January 5, 2023, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) held a webinar to provide an overview of the updates to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Certification Criteria. This webinar provided an overview and review of the draft of the update to the CCBHC Certification Criteria.

View the webinar and revised draft of the update to the CCBHC Certification Criteria. 

MITIGATING SAFETY AND RISK FOR CHILDREN AFFECTED BY PARENTAL SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS INVOLVED IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM WEBINAR

• Thursday February 16, 2023 | 11-12p MST | Webinar Registration

NCSACW is hosting a webinar to learn about a collaborative approach to mitigate safety and risk factors for children affected by parental substance use disorders (SUDs).

Join this webinar to learn more about:

• Child welfare assessment of parental substance use as a safety or risk factor through standardized screening, examination of behavioral indicators, observations of the physical environment, and contact with other service providers
• Opportunities for substance use treatment professionals to partner with child welfare on safety planning with families affected by parental SUDs
• Collaborative strategies to support families’ efforts to overcome barriers to child safety and permanency while building parental capacities

THE IMPACT OF YOUTH VOICES IN TRANSFORMING PEDIATRIC CARE WEBINAR

• Thursday February 2, 2023 | 1:15 MST | Webinar Registration

This webinar is the second in a two-part series on Expanding Patient and Family Engagement to Improve Pediatric Care that will highlight the value of co-creating equitable partnerships between patients, families, community, and multidisciplinary care teams. This webinar will focus on the importance of involving youth in child health care transformation.

BEACON UPCOMING WEBINAR AND ARCHIVE

Every month, Beacon hosts training webinars about various topics. To sign up for upcoming webinars, or to view recordings of previous webinars in the Beacon archive, please visit the Beacon Health Options Trainings webpage.

RAE 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 NHP website for details on previous calls.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: RAE ROUNDTABLE RESOURCES

If you were unable to attend a previously hosted RAE Roundtable, please visit this Northeast Health Partners’ website for information. January’s provider support call included information about Required Authorization Services vs Non required Authorization Services, RTC Request Process Review, New IA

Requirements, Provider Connect, EPSDT and the Creative Solutions Process, Supervision of Unlicensed Therapists Policy, and member access to care audits.