In this issue:

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released the 15th Amended Public Health Order 20-38, extending the order 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The public health order is effective until May 13, 2022 unless extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing.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.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) shared new and updated communication resources that may be useful.

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!

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

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:

High blood pressure—also known as hypertension—is a major risk factor for heart disease. Please visit this link from the National Institutes of Health for education materials, eating plans and other resources to encourage your clients to know their blood pressure numbers and learn ways to keep it under control.

•      Member Page

•      Provider/Stakeholder Page

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.

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.

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.

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.

Please make sure that the provider directory is updated with your contact information, specialty, cultural competency, ADA compliance, and all other categories. For behavioral health providers, here is the link to update your information in Provider Connect. For primary care providers, update your contact information here.

In March 2022, a new redetermination process to determine eligibility for all Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members was implemented.  For more information, see the Renewal Revamp presentation, workbook and FAQ on HCPF's Eligibility Partner Trainings webpage or view the Renewal Guidance for Medical Assistance Memo. 

Colorado House Bill 22-1243 proposes to extend the "I Matter Program", which offers all Colorado youth free mental health sessions in English or Spanish, past its initial expiration date of June 30, 2022. To date:

Access the I Matter digital toolkit and order free print materials to promote I Matter. Visit IMatterColorado.org or YoImportoColorado.org to sign up for services.

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.

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.

Northeast Health Partners believes that care coordination must address members’ medical, behavioral and social needs in an integrated fashion and must address the full continuum of acute, chronic, long-term services and supports, and preventive health needs. NHP care coordinators ensure members are connected to all aspects of care needed, please see the Care Coordination and Behavioral Health Providers Fact Sheet to learn more.

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.

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.

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

Please join the Beacon Provider Relations team for relevant behavioral health trainings, resources, and discussion every month. Click here to join the webinar. March will cover information on justice involved members and updating provider demographics in Provider Connect.

Visit the NHP website for details on previous calls.