The Physicians' Role in Preventing Pertussis

Wednesday, November 17; Noon - 1 p.m.
CCIC and the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians is co-hosting a one hour webinar on the role of the physician in Pertussis prevention. This presentation, by Dr. Rober Brayden, MD, will feature the latest information on Colorado's 2010 pertussis cases, including epidemiological distribution and vulnerable populations along with a detailed review of Colorado's expanded recommendations for immunizing children and adults. It will also review how health care providers can help alleviate the increase in pertussis. For more information and to register, click here.

TrailBlazer E&M Coding and Documentation Resources

TrailBlazer’s Evaluation and Management webpage contains useful coding and documentation resources including the 1995 and 1997 guidelines as well as a pocket reference. To access TrailBlazer’s E&M webpage, click here.

Colorado Health Service Corps Awards $600,000 in Loan Repayment Program for Healthcare Professionals

The Primary Care Office at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has awarded $600,000 in loan repayment funds for healthcare professionals serving Colorado’s medically underserved. The Colorado Health Service Corps has granted loan repayment to health care professionals in some of the state's most underserved communities. This round of awards included:

• Jess Adams, a dentist at Peak Vista Community Health Center in Colorado Springs
• Eric Scotland, a dentist at Sunrise Community Health in Loveland
• Sonia Grewal, a dentist at High Plains Community Health Center in Lamar
• Nicholas Gagner, a dentist at Sunrise Community Health in Greeley
• Terrance Wolbaum, a dentist at Sunrist Community Health in Greeley
• Peter Marshall, a family physician at Pagosa Mountain Clinic in Pagosa Springs
• Fiona Horgan, a physician assistant at Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics in Thornton
• Daniel Hammond, a nurse practitioner at Centennial Mental Health Center in Sterling
• Christie Wilson, a licensed clinical social worker at the Midwestern Center for Mental Health - Olathe Clinic in Montrose
• Laine Covington-Goren, a licensed professional counselor at the Sterling Correctional Facility in Sterling
• Erin Bennett, a licensed professional counselor at The Center for Mental Health in Gunnison
• Darren Lish, a psychiatrist at the Department of Corrections/University of Colorado in Denver

Primary care physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, licensed mental health professionals and oral health professionals may be eligible for significant educational loan debt forgiveness of up to $105,000. To participate in the Colorado Health Service Corps, health professionals must be employed or seeking full-time employment, in an outpatient primary care practice in an area of Colorado with a health professional shortage. Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to caring for underserved people and agree to a term of service of two or three years.  Primary health providers who practice in rural and urban underserved communities may qualify.  The new applications period will begin November 1.

For more information on specific eligibility requirements and to complete the online application, visit http://www.coloradohealthservicecorps.org/ or call 303.692.2466.

TrailBlazer Encore Presentations

TrailBlazer Encore Presentations are offered as a refresher for those who attended a live Web-Based Training (WBT) or for individuals who were unable to attend the event when it was offered. For more information, click here.

TrailBlazer CAH Method II Professional Services WBT

November 2, 2010; 1:00-2:30 CST
This class is customized for CAHs and will cover the billing instructions and requirements specific to CAH Method II professional services. The presentation will also include information on the nature, intent and current findings of the CERT program and the RAC. For more information, click here.

TrailBlazer CAH Manual

TrailBlazer has made some recent revisions to its CAH Manual. To access the updated manual, click here.

Budget crisis leads to new Medicaid payment delays

Medicaid providers will see additional payment delays in the first half of 2011 as the state works to close a $262 million budget gap, Gov. Ritter's office announced Friday. The governor's new spending plan avoids cuts to Medicaid payments, but saves an estimated $70 million in the remainder of the 2010-2011 fiscal year by further postponing payments.

The current two-week delay to Medicaid Fee-for-Service payments will be extended to three weeks. The delays will be spread out in one-week increments over the months of April, May and June, saving $55.1 million. Medicaid Managed Care payments will be delayed for one month, likely in June 2011, saving $15.2 million.

PACE providers and the regional care coordination organizations (RCCOs) that are part of the new Medicaid accountable care collaborative will be exempt.