The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is hosting a virtual Health Cabinet Policy Summit on March 24 and 31. Topics include affordability, behavioral health transformation, pandemic to endemic & future readiness, and keeping Coloradans covered after the Public Health Emergency. HCPF is expanding their value-based payment models that reward providers for better patient outcomes and closes health disparities while driving affordability. Register in advance.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Health First Colorado is paying for up to 15 COVID-19 home tests per member each month when provided by an enrolled pharmacy.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

State Senate President Leroy Garcia (D) announced that he has accepted a position with the Biden Administration and will be resigning in mid-February. Senate Democrats selected Sen. Steve Fenberg to be the chamber’s next president.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

On February 14, the Board of Pharmacy is holding a Joint Stakeholder meeting to allow interested parties to provide feedback on the proposed revisions to the Statewide Protocol for Prescribing Hormonal Contraceptive Patches and Oral Contraceptives, and the Colorado Self-Screening Contraception Risk Assessment Questionnaire

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Department of Health Care Policy and Finance (HCPF) announced today that they received approval from CMS to further increase the Health First Colorado and CHP+ reimbursement rate for COVID-19 vaccine administration to $61.77 for the first two doses, retroactive to September 1, 2021. This rate is triple the typical Medicaid vaccine administration rate and 50% above the Medicare rate.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPA) issued an Operational Memo informing Health First Colorado (Medicaid) providers of their obligation to effectively communicate coordination of benefits requirements to Health First Colorado members who have primary third party insurance.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Department of Regulatory agencies (DORA) announced that the Board of Pharmacy, Medical Board, and Board of Nursing will hold a virtual Joint Stakeholder Meeting on December 20^th seeking input on whether to develop a new statewide protocol for Statin Therapy within the scope of Collaborative Pharmacy Practice Agreements, as allowed per section 12-280-601(1), C.R.S., and Rule 17.00.00. This proposed protocol would allow pharmacists to provide evidence-based health-care services to increase access to a well-established medical standard of care. Written comments must be submitted by December 17, 2021. Oral comments will be taken from participants who are present via webinar.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

On October 31st, Gov. Jared Polis (D) issued an Executive Order  directing vaccine providers such as retail pharmacies, including those that operate under the fed retail pharmacy vaccine program, to drop existing CDC parameters around boosts eligibility, allowing all access to booster shots.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

To better facilitate e-prescribing and e-prior authorizations, the Department of health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) created a Medicaid prescriber tool to help improve patient health outcomes, reduce administrative burdens, and save money.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.