CDPHE will be closed on Jan. 1, 2016

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will be closed on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016 in observance of New Years Day. We hope you have a safe and happy weekend. The WWC team will return emails and calls when we return to the office on Monday, Jan. 4.

Leadership opportunities through the Colorado Cancer Coalition

As you may know the Colorado Cancer Coalition has been undergoing many changes and it’s an exciting time to rewrite the future of the Colorado Cancer Coalition. The newly restructured Colorado Cancer Coalition has the unique opportunity to move the cancer plan forward by realigning priorities, working with new partners and leveraging membership strengths to make a difference in the Colorado Cancer Community. 

The new leadership structure of the Colorado Cancer Coalition (CCC) will be a Steering Committee that consists of a Chair, Vice Chair, Past Chair, leadership from each task force, up to 2 at-large representatives; and representatives from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Comprehensive Cancer program and the CCC’s fiscal sponsor agency. They are excited to announce that Tim Byers MD MPH from the University of Colorado will be serving as the Past Chair in an ex-offico capacity for the next year. 

They are asking for your help in finding new leaders for the Colorado Cancer Coalition, specifically a Chair and Vice Chair. They are looking for individuals who have the following skills: 

• Strong communication
• Experience in leading diverse groups
• Transparent, collaborative leadership style
• Broad view and understanding of cancer prevention and control: from prevention to end-of-life and survivorship
• Fiscal management experience
• Fundraising/resource gathering experience
• Experience collaborating with partners to reach goals
• Strategic thinker

A summary document about the roles and responsibilities for the Chair and Vice Chair can be viewed here: CCC Leadership Roles Summary (More detailed roles and responsibilities can be found here: CCC Leadership Roles and Responsibilities.)

They really need your help to reach your networks far and wide to recruit possible candidates for this leadership opportunity with the Colorado Cancer Coalition. A brief leadership application can be found here: CCC 2016 Leadership Application. Nominations will be accepted through January 17, including self nominations. An online election will run from January 19 - January 26.

Did you miss the December 17 Health Improvement Team (HIT) Call?

Don't worry! The recording is now available online. Agencies shared successful processes and tips for meeting and improving performance on CDC core indicators. After you take a moment to review the call, take some time to review the list of FY 2016 Shirley Hass Schuett Quality Award recipients. Stay tuned...the statewide winner will be announced in July 2016.

Clinical Corner: Evaluating clients with a past history of breast cancer

Question: Currently, we are allowed to reimburse for evaluation of clients with a past history of breast cancer after treatment is complete. What are the parameters and/or time periods allowed for "after completing treatment?"

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month!

Did you know January is Cervical Health Awareness Month? We have put together a swiss cheese press release to assist you in getting the word out! 

Does your agency need any of the following (free) materials?

• WWC marketing materials
• Cervical health flip books
• Make it Your Own (MIYO) communication

Do you have events planned for Cervical Health Awareness Month? Place them in the comment section below!

CDPHE will be closed on Friday, Dec. 25

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will be closed on Friday, Dec. 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. We hope you have a safe and happy weekend. The WWC team will return emails and calls when we return to the office on Monday, Dec. 28.

Could clients with Medicare Part B qualify for WWC services as underinsured?

Question: Clients with only Medicare Part A qualify for WWC clinical services. Could clients with Medicare Part B qualify as underinsured if they are unable to pay their co-pay/co-insurance?

Answer: Clients who have Medicare Part B as health insurance are not eligible for WWC clinical services. If they are under 65, however, they can be enrolled in WWC care coordination.

In general, Medicare Part A covers hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, nursing home care, hospice, and home health services. Medicare Part B cover two types of services, medically necessary services and preventive services. Part B will cover a screening mammogram once every 12 months and diagnostic mammography when medically necessary in women 40 or older. Part B also covers Pap tests, pelvic exams, and clinical breast exams every 24 months for all women and every 12 months for those considered high risk for cervical cancer.

Additional information can be found here: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/your-medicare-coverage.html.

Tips on preparing for mid-year data clean up

Budgets for WWC clinical services, WWC care coordination, and WISEWOMAN programs will be reviewed and adjusted based on spending as of the Jan. 15, 2016 bill run. Therefore it is important to make sure you data is up to date in eCaST before that time. The data team compiled tips to ensure your agency’s data are an accurate reflection of services provided since July 2015.

Save the Date: Colorado Cancer Coalition & Colorado Cancer Plan Kick Off Event

Save the Date for the 2016-2020 Colorado Cancer Plan ​and Colorado Cancer Coalition Kickoff Event!

​When: ​February 11-12, 2016
Estimated: Thursday full day, Friday half day
​Where: ​Marriott Westminster
Book your hotel with the group rate

​Join Comprehensive Cancer Program to: ​

• Celebrate the official launch of the new cancer plan!
• Participate in the first meeting of the reinvigorated Colorado Cancer Coalition, including meeting new leadership.
• Identify priorities from the new cancer plan to be implemented over the next 2 years​.​
• Learn about the cancer landscape in Colorado, including data, opportunities and gaps.

For more information, contact cdphe_cancerplan@state.co.us.

Please share this announcement through your networks.

How to avoid 2 common data entry issues

WWC reviews the quality of data entered into eCaST each month to ensure the program is reimbursing appropriately and accurately for services your agency has provided. Below are tips for avoiding two common data entry issues identified through monthly review: 

FY 2016 Shirley Hass Schuett Quality Award recipients

The Shirley Hass Schuett Quality Award is presented annually to the Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC) clinical services agency that provided the highest quality care to women as demonstrated by meeting program performance indicators and improving performance during the preceding fiscal year.

Shirley Hass Schuett was a nurse practitioner who served as the nurse consultant for WWC and was instrumental in the program's success in achieving positive clinical outcomes for women and helping the program to meet all core performance indicators.

The FY 2016 regional award winners, announced at this year’s Road Shows, were selected by WWC staff based on FY 2015 performance indicators. The staff selected agencies that were top performers in program performance indicators and agencies that demonstrated the most improvement in these measures.

Training opportunities at the National Consortium of Breast Cancers (NCBC)

Below are a couple training opportunities that will be available at the NCBC 26th Annual Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference. The conference is April 9-13, 2016 in Paris Las Vegas.

Dr. Harold P. Freeman
Patient Navigation Institute
Navigation Review Course
Tuesday, April 12, 2016  8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Presented by:

• Harold P. Freeman, MD
• Rebecca Crane-Okada, PhD, RN, CNS, AOCN
• Courtney Bowen MS

Healthcare professionals and advocates including but not limited to nurses, radiology technicians, other licensed providers and non-licensed navigators will be presented with the most current information on navigation of breast patients across all phases of the healthcare continuum including outreach, screening, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.

The curriculum will include various modules of navigation which will familiarize participants with the skill sets required to navigate breast patients through various phases of the health care continuum. The trainees will be provided with pertinent information in preparation of the NCBC certification examination.


Breast Patient Navigator Certification
Tuesday and Wednesday April 12-13, 2016 7:30 - 11:30 a.m.

The Breast Patient Navigator Certification has been developed to set standards of achievement and the professional's role; enhance patient safety; improve the quality of care and delivery of services; and recognize professionals who advance beyond basic knowledge in a field of specialty. The Breast Patient Navigator Certification validates the medical professional's knowledge and performance standards through testing. Certification reflects an individual's achievement beyond licensure requirements and a basic level of knowledge. It exhibits dedication to validating a specific set of skills to provide enhanced care and services for patients and clients through advanced competency.

Core Committee Members are:

Imaging: Andrew Newman, MS(M), RT(T), CN-BI
Management: Janell Clark-Brown, MSN, APN-BC, CN-BP, CBEC
Advocate: Becky Olson, BA, CN-BA
Clinical: Julie Schisler, LPN, BS, CN-BC
Provider: Cathy Cole, NP, MPH, CN-BP
Nurse: Colleen Sullivan-Moore, RN, CNN, CN-BN
Community Liaison: Linda Kramer, BS
Chair: Melissa Hopkins, RN, BA, CN-BN
Medical Advisor: Dr. John Bell, MD, FACS
Medical Advisor: Dr. Ernie Bodai, MD, FACS
NCBC Staff Manager: Jennifer Cobb-Hayes, MSM, Ed.D (ABD)

View the conference brochure

Visit the registration web page

Updated guidance on combined WWC clinical services and care coordination consent

We’ve received a couple of questions from agencies regarding the combined WWC clinical services and care coordination grant program consent, specifically regarding clients who move between the two programs and whether or not the same consent is valid for both programs.

After reviewing the current combined consent, our legal staff person noted that the instructions say “Please choose the left or right box to complete.” This means that the client is consenting to only one of the programs and therefore the client would need to fill out a new consent to enroll in the other program. In addition, if the client did not check all of the boxes on the current consent, the agency would need to go back and have the client to check the boxes to make their consent official.

To making obtaining consent from clients easier, we will be modifying the combined WWC clinical services and care coordination consent by changing most of the check boxes to bullets and changing the language to allow the client to consent for either program if they are eligible or become eligible.

We apologize if we have given conflicting guidance on these consents previously. Please assist us in ensuring your clients have a complete and signed consent for the program(s) for which you are requesting reimbursement. Please go back and obtain appropriate consents if you find you do not have them. We will let you know as soon as new consents become available.

If you have any questions about this, please contact your program coordinator.

December bill run is complete!

Your December 2015 grant activity statement is now available. Please run your grant activity statement from eCaST using December 1-31 as your date parameters. Make sure to select fiscal year 2016. When choosing the contract type, select "WWC" for WWC clinical services or "CCGP" for the care coordination grant program

Please contact either Nick Roth or Marina Milzer for any questions regarding viewing your reports.

If you have questions about your bill or spending in general, contact your WWC program coordinator, either Ivy Hontz or Kris McCracken.

Quick Review before HIT Call on 12/17: What are the CDC Core Performance Indicators?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Core Performance Indicators are evidence-based benchmarks established by the CDC to measure progress toward program goals for screening and quality clinical care. WWC clinical services agencies are required to meet or exceed all six indicators.

1. Rarely or never screened for cervical cancer: At least 20 percent of all clients newly enrolled for cervical cancer screening should be clients who have never been screened for cervical cancer or who have not had a Pap test in the past five years (rarely screened).
2. Women 50 and older receiving mammograms: At least 75 percent of all screening mammograms performed should be provided to clients who are 50 years of age and older.
3. Percentage of abnormal breast cases with complete follow-up should be at least 90 percent. Follow-up is complete when cases have a final diagnosis, cancer or not cancer.
4. Timeliness of follow up for breast cases: At least 75 percent of all completed abnormal breast cases must be completed within 60 days or less.
5. Percentage of abnormal cervical cases with complete follow-up should be at least 90 percent. Follow-up is complete when cases have a final diagnosis, cancer or not cancer.
6. Timeliness of follow up for cervical cases: At least 75 percent of all completed abnormal cervical cases must be completed within 60 days or less.

Join the HIT call Thursday, Dec. 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m to discuss these indicators and get your questions answered​! To gain access, go to https://stateofcolorado.centurylinkccc.com/CenturylinkWeb/WWC. Click on the “Guest” tab, enter your name, and email address. Century Link will prompt you to provide a phone number to join the webinar, however you will still need to call 1-877-820-7831 and enter pass code: 335241# (Press # after the pass code) for audio.

(Free) Training Opportunities from the Patient Navigator Training Collaborative!

Continue building your skills with these advanced courses offered by Patient Navigator Training Collaborative (PNTC).

ISO: Non-licensed patient navigators! Respond by Dec. 18!

As an experienced and skilled patient navigator (other job titles may be used at your work place), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) would like to invite you to play a part in an important statewide project by participating in the development of a skills test/examine that will be used in the voluntary credentialing process for non-licensed patient navigators (PNs).

On Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, the Center for Advancing Professional Excellence (CAPE*) on the University of Colorado, Anschutz Campus in Aurora needs 30 experienced non-licensed PNs to assist in pilot testing the state’s future skills exam. This pilot test of the skills examine requires experienced PNs to work with professional patient actors using real-life patient scenarios. This is the same process that CAPE uses to evaluate physicians and other licensed providers’ ability to work with and communicate with patients.

Although the PNs at this pilot test are not personally being evaluated, your participation offers the opportunity to provide feedback and obtain experience related to the future testing procedures. Participants will receive a $25 gift card and be reimbursed for travel. Please see the invitation, summary of project activities, description of activities and competencies for more information.

4 things you need to know for the Health Improvement Team (HIT) Call on Dec. 17!

The next HIT Call is on Dec. 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

1. Topic: Improve performance in CDC Core Performance Indicators

2. Purpose: The purpose of this HIT call is to discuss strategies to improving performance; share successes your agency has had in improving performance; and, answer your questions about the CDC Core Performance Indicators.

3. Review before HIT Call: Please review chapter 7: Quality assurance and improvement of the WWC provider toolkit.

4. Webinar information:

To gain access, go to https://stateofcolorado.centurylinkccc.com/CenturylinkWeb/WWC. Click on the “Guest” tab, enter your name, and email address. Century Link will prompt you to provide a phone number to join the webinar, however you will still need to call 1-877-820-7831 and enter pass code: 335241# (Press # after the pass code) for audio. 

Bring your strategies, successes and questions. We look forward to the dialog!

Clinical Corner - Cryotherapy Reimbursement

Question: We have a patient that has a history of persistent CIN I and the provider wants to do cryotherapy instead of a LEEP. The provider states that a LEEP is too invasive and cryotherapy is more appropriate. Can we use WWC funds for this procedure?

Answer: Cryotherapy is considered treatment for this patient and WWC funds cannot be used for treatment. WWC reimburses for diagnostic LEEPs only. WWC would not cover the LEEP if it is for treatment purposes.

If you have a clinical question that you would like answered, please email Angela.FellersLeMire@state.co.us.

HCPF develops county-by-county Medicaid fact sheet

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) offers a new resource that provides information about the impact of Medicaid expansion and Medicaid spending by county. The county fact sheets contain Medicaid caseload information and the local RCCO and BHO data. Medicaid funding is broken out by medical spending on children, Non-Expansion and Expansion adults.

The Department will update the fact sheets on an annual basis. The next update will likely be in late March/early April 2016 (after claims run out for the 2015 calendar year).

Job Announcement: RN Nurse Practitioner-Community Health

Community Health Services has an opening for a Nurse Practitioner to serve as their Family Planning Clinical Coordinator & Trainer. Will provide professional nurse practitioner care specific to family planning clients. Will provide group and individual training on all long-acting reversible contraceptive methods to providers, residents and clinical students. Experience as a nurse practitioner providing women’s health and family planning services required. Experience with Title X family planning program preferred. Clinical evaluation and management of adolescents and adults seeking family planning services. Ability to work independently and in collaboration with multiple departments. Strong leadership, teaching and public speaking skills. Bilingual (Spanish/English) skills preferred.

Provide advice: How do you talk to clients about care coordination?

The most frequently asked question I get about care coordination is, “How do I get insured clients to sign the consent form for care coordination?" It’s much easier to explain a program that pays for breast and cervical cancer screenings (WWC clinical services) than it is to explain a program that provides patient navigation services (WWC care coordination).

I know some of you have had some luck enrolling clients into WWC care coordination. What works for you?

Webinar: Shared decision-making with low health literacy patients

Registration is open now for a webinar on Dec. 9 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. ET that will address how clinicians can effectively engage patients who have limited health literacy skills in shared decision-making. Shared decision-making occurs when a health care provider and a patient work together to make a health care decision that is best for the patient. Research shows that implementation of shared decision-making in clinical practice increases patient satisfaction, enhances patient understanding of their treatment options and increases their involvement in decisions about their care. Yet shared decision-making has not been widely adopted in clinical practice and can be particularly challenging to implement with patients who have limited literacy skills. The webinar will be accredited for continuing education for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists and certified health education specialists. Determination of continuing education credit through Professional Education Services Group is pending. The webinar is offered via AHRQ’s SHARE Approach initiative, a five-step process for shared decision-making.

New breast cancer risk assessment tool

A new online tool, Breast Screening Decisions, has been made available to assist average risk women 40-49 in deciding whether a screening mammogram is right for them.

The tool gives women in their 40s an individual breast cancer risk assessment and then uses easy-to-understand infographics to show what is likely to happen across a population of similar-risk women. The decision aid is not meant to drive women toward or away from mammography, but to help them make an informed decision. The tool is based on the data the USPSTF used to develop their 2009 recommendations. You can read more about this tool in a NPR article.

The National Cancer Institute’s Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool is also an evidence-based screening tool (recommended by WWC) that can be used to determine risk.

Did You Know? Video Series: Informing the public about key cancer statistics

The Did You Know? Video Series provide 2- to 3-minute informational videos on various cancer topics. The videos communicate key statistical data on different types of cancers to a lay audience in understandable, clear, and concise language. Each video also provides background information on cancer types and risk factors, and encourages action when appropriate. Incidence rates, mortality rates, 5-year relative survival rates, geospatial patterns, and other relevant statistics are highlighted in these videos. The data and information shown in this series comes from SEER, the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, gis.cancer.gov, cancer.gov, and other government sources including CDC.

There are currently 16 videos in the Did You Know? Video Series. Some videos focus on specific cancer types such as Leukemia and Thyroid Cancer while others describe overarching topics like Cancer Health Disparities, Cancer Statistics, and Survivorship. Please share these videos and use this as a resource within your networks. Follow the National Cancer Institute's YouTube page or @NCICancerStats on Twitter to stay up to date on the most recent Did You Know? Videos.

Job Announcement: CEO, Susan G. Komen Colorado

The Colorado Affiliate of Susan G. Komen® (www.komencolorado.org) seeks a CEO who brings a personal commitment to and demonstrated history in advancing equal access to quality breast cancer care and medical research, particularly among medically underserved communities. 

Position Summary: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is a highly-skilled professional that provides leadership, vision and direction to the Affiliate, the broader Susan G. Komen organization and the entire cancer community. This leader will work closely with the Affiliate Board of Directors, Komen Headquarters and the Affiliate Network and will be responsible for expanding systems and procedures to accomplish the mission and reach the strategic goals set forth by the Board. The CEO will represent the affiliate to the public, lead organizational development and strategic planning, optimize financial performance, build donor relationships, supervise and develop staff (9 FTE), and impact education and public policy.

Timeline to hire is very aggressive, with the search process being managed by The Tennison Group executive search firm. Feel free to contact John DellaSalle directly at jdellasalle@tennisongrp.com. View the job description.

Call to action: Send your stories!

WWC is putting together user-friendly handouts to explain ways sites can implement evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to increase breast and cervical cancer screening rates and we want to hear from you! What are things that your agency have done to help reduce structural barriers, send client reminders or small media, or educated women to increase breast and cervical cancer screening rates?

If you have a success story that you want to share, please email cdphe_wwc@state.co.us by Thursday December 17, 2015. Please include:

1. tactics used, 
2. challenges faced/overcome, 
3. and if the intervention helped increase screening rates (and by how much if possible). 

Program input is what makes WWC a success and helps make a positive impact in Colorado. We look forward to hearing from you!

WWC staffing changes at CDPHE

December 17, 2015 will be Flora Martinez's last day with WWC/WISEWOMAN. Flora has decided to return to school on a full-time basis. 

WWC/WISEWOMAN plans to hire another program coordinator soon to fill Flora's position and will notify all agencies when that occurs. In the interim, please contact your former program coordinator (Kris or Ivy) for program-related questions/topics and continue to contact Marina or Nick for eCaST questions. A list with the interim agency/program coordinator assignments and the contact information for all current state WWC/WISEWOMAN staff is on the website.

How to dial an interpreter in 3 steps

Connecting with a professional interpreter over-the-phone (OPI) can be one of the most convenient ways to interact with your Limited English Proficient (LEP) client(s). However, establishing professional OPI services can be a daunting task for anyone who is unfamiliar with the industry and the many specification to consider. Becoming an informed buyer of language services will go a long way in helping you determine what combination of services best fit your needs.

1. Establish service with a professional Language Service Provider (LSP), if you haven't already. Having a LSP in place provides consistent support in multiple languages and reduces the risk that comes with untrained "bilinguals." 
2. Training of staff on policies and procedures for accessing LSP to interact with your LEP clients at all points of contact. It's helpful to include tips on how to work with a telephone interpreter such as: introducing yourself, briefing the interpreter, speaking in slow and short segments as well as knowing what to expect from a professional interpreter like: impartially, and fully communicating everything that is being said.  
3. Repeat. From time to time refresh your procedures and train staff to be sure you are able to meet your clients needs in an accurate and timely manner.

Care coordination agencies only: Optional call on Dec. 8

Only if your agency holds a care coordination contract with WWC, please save the date for an optional call on Dec. 8, 10:30-11:30 a.m. This will be a conference call only. To join, call 1-877-820-7831 and enter passcode: 335241# (Press # after the passcode).

Do you have particular topic you would like to discuss? Are you facing a particular struggle with implementing your care coordination contract? We want to break down those potential barriers and ensure you are as successful as we know you can be. Comment below with topics you would like to see covered.

CDPHE policy for providing information about Medicaid or Connect for Health Colorado

Please see the memo creating a standard policy that all CDPHE contractors that provide direct clinical services provide Colorado Medicaid and Connect for Health Colorado information to clients presenting for services at their agencies.​ This policy closely aligns with the policy WWC implemented this year regarding referral to Connect for Health Colorado for assessment of eligibility or subsidized Marketplace health insurance coverage (See page 4 of the Eligibility Section of the Toolkit for more information). 

WWC will begin implementing this new policy with future revisions of the Toolkit and in future contracts for Clinical Services, Care Coordination and WISEWOMAN.

​Please contact myself, Emily Kinsella with any questions.

eCaST User's Group on Dec. 2

All eCaST users are invited to participate in the Dec. 2 webinar from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. The WWC team will gather feedback, questions, and share more information on the following topics: 

Does your agency have a new WWC clinical provider? Are you a new WWC clinical provider?

Welcome to WWC! As a new WWC clinical provider, you will want to become familiar with the Provider Resources web page and Part 4: Clinical Services of the WWC toolkit. These sections of the toolkit include the clinical policies and guidelines that both WWC Clinical Services and WWC Care Coordination programs must follow. 

Updates to caution flags in eCaST

Several updates to the "Pending screenings not complete" caution flag have been made in eCaST aimed to streamline data entry and review processes. Please let us know if you have questions or concerns with any of these changes. Changes include: 

November bill run is complete!

Your November 2015 grant activity statement is now available. Please run your grant activity statement from eCaST using November 1-30 as your date parameters. Make sure to select fiscal year 2016. When choosing the contract type, select "WWC" for WWC clinical services or "CCGP" for the care coordination grant program

Please contact either Nick Roth or Marina Milzer for any questions regarding viewing your reports. Nicholas.Roth@state.co.us or Marina.Milzer@state.co.us

If you have questions about your bill or spending in general, contact your WWC program coordinator, either Flora Martinez, Ivy Hontz, or Kris McCracken.

High risk groups smoke twice as much

American adults who are uninsured or on Medicaid smoke at rates more than double those for adults with private health insurance or Medicare, according to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in today’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) show that 27.9 percent of uninsured adults and 29.1 percent of Medicaid recipients currently smoke. By contrast, 12.9 percent of adults with private insurance and 12.5 percent of those on Medicare currently smoke.

The study reported that the prevalence of cigarette smoking among U.S. adults declined from 20.9 percent to 16.8 percent from 2005 to 2014, including a full percentage-point decline between 2013 and 2014 alone. The considerable drop in the overall adult smoking rate over time shows marked progress toward achieving the Healthy People 2020 goal of reducing the cigarette smoking rate to 12 percent or lower. Another major finding was that the average number of cigarettes smoked per day among daily smokers declined from 16.7 in 2005 to 13.8 in 2014 — driven by declines in the proportion of daily smokers who smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day.

In 2014, prevalence of cigarette smoking was higher among these groups:

• Males (18.8 percent vs. 14.8 percent for females)
• Adults ages 25-44 years (20.0 percent)
• Multiracial (27.9 percent) or American Indian/Alaska Natives (29.2 percent)
• People with a General Education Development certificate (43.0 percent)
• People who live below the federal poverty level (26.3 percent)
• People who live in the Midwest (20.7 percent)
• People who have a disability/limitation (21.9 percent)
• People who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual (23.9 percent)

For more information about cigarette smoking and tools to quit, visit www.cdc.gov/tobacco.

Remember: Check insurance status before each procedure!

Recently we have had a few agencies report to us that clients seen through WWC Clinical Services last fiscal year (June 30, 2014 to June 29, 2015) were actually billed to and paid by Medicaid. While agencies are not required to switch funding from WWC Clinical Services to Medicaid for services rendered between the client’s enrollment notification date and back-dated enrollment date, it is not allowable to charge the same service to two funders (i.e., WWC Clinical Services and Medicaid). When another funder has been charged for services rendered in a previous fiscal year, agencies must refund CDPHE funds paid for these services by sending CDPHE a check. If your agency identifies a change in funding source for services performed during the active fiscal year, simply update the funding source for affected procedures and the funds will be automatically reversed on your next grant activity statement.

While we know this may be inevitable for services performed last fiscal year, below are some best practices to help you avoid this in the future. We will remind agencies during our major mid-year and end-of-year data entry pushes. 

• Follow the new policy that insurance status be assessed before each clinical service is provided with WWC funds. 
• Verify regularly that WWC Clinical Services clients have not retroactively been billed to Medicaid. 

Please contact Emily, Marina or your WWC program coordinator with any questions.

Reminder: Complete your progress report by Nov. 16!

You have less than a week to complete your agency's progress report. If you have questions, don't hesitate to contact your program coordinator as soon as possible! We are here to help you and want the progress report to be a useful tool.

Can't click on the link above to complete your progress report? Here is the link to copy and paste in your web browser: https://www.colorado.gov/cdphe/wwc-progress-report.

Do you have patients with Colorado HealthOp?

Colorado HealthOp will no longer be offering insurance coverage after 12/31/15. Colorado HealthOp is continuing coverage until 12/31/15. Patients should be encouraged to start the enrollment process into a new healthcare plan now and complete enrollment prior to 12/15/15 in order to ensure coverage on 1/1/16. More information can be found on their website.

Webinar: Breast Cancer. Genetic Counseling. A Firsthand Account

Date and time: Wed, Nov 11, 2015 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM MST

"I was diagnosed in June 2013 when my son was 18 months old. After I stopped breastfeeding one of my breasts did not go down, which is abnormal, so I got my mammogram. I was devastated when I got my diagnosis of breast cancer." 

Join the Office of Minority Health Resource Center and Dr. Lori Wilson, Howard University Hospital & College of Medicine Surgical Oncologist and Surgery Residency Program Director, for a presentation on her personal experience with cancer. PPEs will learn about Dr. Wilson's unique firsthand experience with cancer as an oncologist and a patient. Nicole Thompson, genetic counselor, will provide lessons on genetic counseling. Both will be available to address all questions.

Register now.

Updated BCCP Medicaid step list

We notified you last week with the new Presumptive Eligibility (PE) telephone number for BCCP Medicaid. The step list is now updated to reflect the new phone number. It can be located under the "Treatment" heading on the WWC provider resources web page.

Webinar recording: CCADV's Intimate Partner Violence

Family Planning and Colorado Coalition Against Dometic Violence (CCADV) have graciously agreed to share Amy Pohl's archived version of CCADV's Intimate Partner Violence webinar with WWC staff.

Amy Pohl wanted staff to know that they can access the Batterer 101 Training on CCADV’s Online Learning Center for FREE for 90 Days (until December 31) if they would like some follow up training on the issue of domestic violence (DV). Email Amy Pohl with your interest, and she will follow up with you directly.

Amy provided this description of the course “Understanding Batterers:”

Who are batterers? Why do batterers hurt others? Does alcohol cause physical violence? This course explores the reasons why batterers hurt the important people in their lives, lists the types of battering most often used against victims, dissects the myths and facts about battering, and much more. This course will enhance the participant’s skills around safety planning and advocacy with victims/survivors of domestic violence by increasing the participant’s knowledge and understanding of batterers as well as Colorado requirements for offender management. Course review provided by Cheryl Davis, Program Manager of the Colorado Domestic Violence Offender Management Board (DVOMB). Time Frame: approx. 1.5 hours.

Contact information:

Amy Pohl
Communications and Membership Director
Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence
1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 900
Denver, CO  80203
(303) 962-0936 ▪ Tollfree: (888) 778-7091 x824
www.ccadv.org ▪ apohl@ccadv.org

ASCCP Comprehensive Colposcopy in Tampa, Florida

Date:  January 20-23, 2016

Location:  Hilton Tampa Downtown
Tampa, FL

Are you a beginning or intermediate colposcopist? Do you need an update on the cervical cancer screening guidelines? Then this course is for you!

This course will include:

• 2012 Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines 
• Updated Consensus Guidelines for Managing Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Tests and Cancer Precursor. 
• New concepts about HPV screening and triage, treatment methods, and HPV epidemiology. 
• Hands-on workshops to apply what you have learned 

Upon completion of this course you can earn 22.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ASCCP Members receive discounted registration rates.
Not an ASCCP member? Join or renew today.

Register today.

New progress report is ready for you!

The new progress report is available for your submissions! Reports are due through the Survey Monkey tool by end of business on November 16. You will be reporting on clinical services and/or care coordination contracts. To assist in completing all sections, a training video and worksheet were developed available for download here: https://www.colorado.gov/cdphe/wwc-progress-report. 

This report submission will cover: June 30, 2015 through October 31, 2015

The format is much different than you are used to with WWC. Our goal through this change was to empower your agency to take ownership of your award and streamline requests from your agency for additional information throughout the fiscal year. Please use this time to thoughtfully communicate your struggles and successes. 

If you have not already done so, please coordinate with your agency staff to ensure only one report is submitted per agency. 

If you have questions or concerns, contact your program coordinator as soon as possible!

Funding opportunity: WWC request for applications (RFA) now open!

The Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC) program is currently accepting Request for Applications (RFA) for both clinical services and care coordination funds as part of an Open RFA. The intention is to increase the number of women screened for breast and cervical cancer in the state of Colorado. For more information about the two funding opportunities, please see below:

Clinical Services Program

This program provides financial support to clinical services organizations to provide breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services for uninsured and under insured women who meet WWC’s age, income, and lawful presence criteria as outline in the WWC Provider Toolkit.

Care Coordination Grant Program

This program provides financial support to clinical services organizations to increase care coordination related to breast and cervical cancer screening for insured women who otherwise meet WWC’s age, income, and lawful presence criteria as outlined in the WWC Provider Toolkit.


Applications are due by November 16, 2015 and March 14, 2016
Application documents and information can be found at www.colorado.gov/cdphe/wwc-funding. 

Please forward this information to any organization that might qualify and be interested in this funding. If you have any questions, please email them to the WWC program staff at cdphe_wwc@state.co.us.

Two TEDx Talks under 20 minutes on health equity

Recently, a coworker shared two wonderful TEDx talks on health equity. Think you don't have time for them? Think again! Both are under 20 minutes.

Caption contest!

Did you attend the road show in Colorado Springs? These two furry friends sure did.

The WWC team wants to thank participants who attended the road shows in both Glenwood Springs and Colorado Springs. We had fun connecting with you!

Comment below with your caption for the photo and favorite memory from either of the road shows! 

Let's connect: How to connect with CDPHE and fellow WWC agencies!

At the road shows, we had a great presentation about using social media to connect with clients, the public and funders. 

While WWC doesn’t have its own social media presence, we wanted to start by sharing the list of CDPHE social media outlets. Every division and program differs in what they provide. One of my favorites is the blog, COPrevent which is located under "Prevention services." 

With that said, CDPHE is also on Facebook, Twitter AND Instagram! The posts are more general to the environment and public health, however they are more consistent in posting relevant and time-sensitive material.


We’d like to help you improve your social media reach by liking and following your agencies on social media (and having other WWC agencies do the same). Please post links to your agency’s social media accounts in the comments section!

Help us welcome 10 new care coordination agencies!

In October, the Women's Wellness Connection executed care coordination contracts with 10 new agencies, two of which are solely care coordination grantees.

WWC response to ACS guidelines

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently released new recommendations for women at average risk for breast cancer. These recommendations more closely align ACS and U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce (USPSTF) guidelines and convey the overall movement towards less frequent breast screenings.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC) program continues to align its breast screening policies with USPSTF guidelines. WWC believes the ACS recommendations are evidence-based, concerned with public resources, but also concerned about the negative health effects or harms of overscreening (i.e. overdiagnosis and false positives), particularly in younger women.

The importance of assessing a woman’s individual risk for breast cancer is even more essential as screening mammography guidelines continue to evolve. CDPHE and WWC encourage all women to talk with their healthcare provider about their risk for breast cancer and screening options. If you know someone that is in need of breast cancer screening and meets the criteria below, they may qualify for WWC. Please call the WWC referral number 1-866-951-WELL (9355) to schedule an appointment.

• 40-64 years old
• uninsured or underinsured
• low-income
• lawfully present

View the original article released by the American Cancer Society.

View the Journal of the American Medicine Association (JAMA) article where the infographic above was published.

How health care organizations can create equity in the community

Date and time: October 29, 2015, 2:00 PM ET

Guests will include:

• Donna Abney, Executive Vice President, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
• Kimberlydawn Wisdom, MD, MS, Senior Vice President of Community Health & Equity and Chief Wellness and Diversity Officer, Henry Ford Health System
• John Whittington, MD, Lead Faculty, IHI Triple Aim; Senior Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement
• Sandra Bailey, Vice President for Care Transitions, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
• Joy Sharp, Manager, Community Navigators, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
• Mara Laderman, MSPH, Senior Research Associate, IHI

View more information and register.

New Presumptive Eligibility (PE) telephone number for BCCP Medicaid

The new telephone number for providers to call for a Presumptive Eligibility (PE) Medicaid BCCP identification number is 303-239-4357, option (1), option (3). WWC is working to update all forms to reflect this new phone number. We will notify you when they are available.

Asian Quitline Information

Did you know that there is an Asian Smokers' Quitline? Services are provided in Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese!

Ford partners with Lyft to provide free rides to treatment

Ford has partnered with Lyft, a peer-to-peer ridesharing program, on an initiative that will allow anyone in Lyft’s 60 US markets to request a free ride to and/or from breast cancer treatment. Patients that would like to request a ride can visit lyft.com/moregooddays and click “get a ride” or “give a ride." Please share this information with your local communities and help Ford reach its goal of 10,000 rides!

Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM) Outreach Tour

The Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM) is conducting an outreach tour to spread the work about their word!

Join them in a town near you to find out how the Colorado SIM is working with stakeholders to promote integration of behavioral and physical health care. This transformation will accelerate the progress toward the Triple Aim of lower costs, better care and improved population health. It will also help Colorado to reach it's goal of becoming the healthiest state in the nation. Colorado has been awarded a $65 million grant from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation to transform practices, test new models for payment and care delivery, and integrate primary care and behavioral health care. Colorado SIM welcomes your input and questions as they embark on this collaborative journey. 

RSVP to attend a presentation near you

October 2015 Bill Run Complete

Your October 2015 grant activity statement is now available. Please run your grant activity statement from eCaST using October 1-31 as your date parameters. Make sure to select fiscal year 2016. When choosing the contract type, select "WWC" for WWC clinical services or "CCGP" for the care coordination grant program

Please contact Nick Roth if you have questions regarding viewing your reports at nicholas.roth@state.co.us.

If you have questions about your bill or spending in general, contact your WWC program coordinator, either Flora Martinez, Ivy Hontz, or Kris McCracken.

Did you miss the October 15 Health Improvement Team (HIT) Call?

Don't worry! The recording is now available online. 

As indicated in the call, you will be receiving notification in the near future with the link to submit your agency's progress report. A training video and worksheet will be provided to ease the submission.

During the HIT call, identification of eligible women was discussed. Here are the questions that were covered: