Thursday, September 6, 2012
Dial-a-Doctor Telemedicine Program Seen as Solution for Provider Shortage in Rural Georgia
Until recently, when children in Ware County, Georgia, needed to see a pediatrician or a specialist, getting to the nearest doctor could entail a four hour drive up Interstate 75 to Atlanta. Now, there’s another option. As part of a state-wide initiative, the rural county has installed videoconferencing equipment at all 10 of its schools to give its 5,782 students one-on-one access to physicians. Read about the program here.
Draft of Essential Health Benefits Benchmark Plan Released
The Governor’s Office, Division of Insurance and the Exchange are requesting stakeholder feedback about a draft recommendation for Colorado’s essential health benefits (EHB) benchmark plan. Beginning in 2014, most health insurance plans sold to small employers and individuals must include a minimum set of health care services and products. This set of services and benefits is called Essential Health Benefits. A draft of Colorado’s EHB Benchmark plan can be found here. Comments on this draft should be sent to the EHB email, ehb@dora.state.co.us. After consideration of the comments from stakeholders, the Division of Insurance will release a final recommendation. The deadline for submitting public comment is September 10, and Colorado’s benchmark plan will be chosen by October.
An introduction to the EHB decision making process, a comparison of EHB plans and an FAQ document can be found on the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange website (click here).
An introduction to the EHB decision making process, a comparison of EHB plans and an FAQ document can be found on the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange website (click here).
ACC Payment Reform Initiative Update
The Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) payment reform initiative bill passed during the 2012 legislative session allows the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to accept proposals for innovative payment reforms that will demonstrate new ways of paying for improved client health outcomes for Medicaid clients while reducing costs.
The Department is developing a formal process for requesting, receiving, evaluating and selecting proposals. The first step will be an invitation for abstracts. All abstracts must be submitted through the Accountable Care Collaborative's Regional Care Collaborative Organizations (RCCOs) and their partners. Abstracts will assist the Department in developing the proposal evaluation criteria. Please click here to find a fact sheet, FAQ document and the invitation for abstracts link. There will be an opportunity for stakeholder input during the proposal criteria development phase of the process.
Click here to read more about the process, to find the invitation for abstracts, a fact sheet and FAQs.
The Department is developing a formal process for requesting, receiving, evaluating and selecting proposals. The first step will be an invitation for abstracts. All abstracts must be submitted through the Accountable Care Collaborative's Regional Care Collaborative Organizations (RCCOs) and their partners. Abstracts will assist the Department in developing the proposal evaluation criteria. Please click here to find a fact sheet, FAQ document and the invitation for abstracts link. There will be an opportunity for stakeholder input during the proposal criteria development phase of the process.
Click here to read more about the process, to find the invitation for abstracts, a fact sheet and FAQs.
Boomers Retiring to Rural Areas Face Trouble Finding Providers
As record numbers of baby boomers go into retirement, many are thinking about moving from the places they needed to live to make a living, and going someplace warmer, quieter or prettier. And if they choose rural towns they may have a hard time finding a family doctor willing to take Medicare, even supplemental plans, rather than private insurance.
Click here to read the Associated Press article.
Click here to read the Associated Press article.
Funding for the Old Age Pension Program Renewed
A bill passed during the 2012 legislative session which restored funding for the Old Age Pension (OAP) program. Treatment for the Oral Health Program of OAP is anticipated to begin January of 2013.
The OAP program was established by legislation in 1977 to provide dental care (dentures and related services) to senior citizens who receive Old Age Pension public assistance. To qualify for the OAP Dental Program, an individual must be 60 years or older, live in Colorado, and receive OAP public assistance from the state of Colorado. Interested seniors should contact their individual county department of social services for eligibility information.
The Oral Health Program manages the dental component of the OAP providing grants to eligible grantees for the provision of dental services to seniors eligible for OAP.
Approved procedures and maximum allowable fees are set in the Code of Colorado Regulations (6 CCR 1015-8). Clients may be asked to pay a co-payment not to exceed 20% of the maximum allowable fee.
Click here to read more (scroll down to Old Age Pension Program).
The OAP program was established by legislation in 1977 to provide dental care (dentures and related services) to senior citizens who receive Old Age Pension public assistance. To qualify for the OAP Dental Program, an individual must be 60 years or older, live in Colorado, and receive OAP public assistance from the state of Colorado. Interested seniors should contact their individual county department of social services for eligibility information.
The Oral Health Program manages the dental component of the OAP providing grants to eligible grantees for the provision of dental services to seniors eligible for OAP.
Approved procedures and maximum allowable fees are set in the Code of Colorado Regulations (6 CCR 1015-8). Clients may be asked to pay a co-payment not to exceed 20% of the maximum allowable fee.
Click here to read more (scroll down to Old Age Pension Program).
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