CCHA Community Incentive Program: Application Process
Overview
Colorado Community Health Alliance (CCHA) is the Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) regional organization serving the following counties:
- Region 6: Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson
- Region 7: El Paso, Park, Teller
Regional Program Improvement Advisory Committee
CCHA is dedicated to partnering with the health neighborhood and community entities to achieve Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and behavioral health incentive measures and support a health care delivery system that improves member health and reduces cost. CCHA does this through the convening of the CCHA Regional Program Improvement Advisory Committee (PIAC).
The Regional PIAC’s mission is to convene a diverse, multi-disciplinary network of health care providers, community organizations, other service providers, members, members’ families and/or caregivers and advocates to provide feedback on improving member and provider satisfaction. This multi-disciplinary network examines CCHA’s processes and systems and provides input on improving health, access, cost, etc.
Purpose of Regional PIAC
- Engage and strengthen the health neighborhood and Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) community, which includes: Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, El Paso, Park and Teller counties
- Provide a forum to give feedback about CCHA’s processes and systems
- Create a region-specific health neighborhood and community leadership network
- Advise on strategies for reinvesting CCHA incentive funds to support and strengthen the health neighborhood and community
Voting members include representatives from multiple sectors, including physical health, behavioral health, advocacy groups, long-term care and support services, government, oral health, community organizations and Health First Colorado members.
Community Incentive Program
CCHA is committed to supporting and reinvesting funds in community programs. The CCHA Community Incentive Program is funded using incentive payments CCHA has earned for achieving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF).
The CCHA Community Incentive Program application and selection process is managed annually by the Regional PIAC’s voting membership.
Key Priority Areas
The overall goal of the Community Incentive Program is to fund services that are not billable Health First Colorado benefits. This program intends to equip members with the tools and skills needed to be self-sufficient and successfully manage their health. In addition, these dollars are meant to support organizations with starting a new resource or service and are not meant to be a continued funding source for existing programs.
There are many barriers and challenges when members try to achieve overall physical and mental wellness. These dollars support creative ways to help members receive the needed traditional and non-traditional support. In the past, these dollars have helped fund rental assistance, motel vouchers, vehicle repairs, food supplies, transportation and remote patient monitoring devices to track A1C and blood pressure numbers. The activities or services proposed must align with at least one of the priorities of the ACC program, Key Performance Indicators and/or behavioral health incentive measures:
- Increase the number of members who engage in preventive health services such as dental and annual well visits
- Well-visits include engaging children ages 3-21 in at least one annual well-visit and engaging children ages 0-15 months in at least six well-visits.
- Increase the number of members who utilize needed behavioral health services
- Behavioral health services may include: connecting with a behavioral health provider within the primary care setting, receiving a follow-up after an inpatient stay, completing necessary behavioral health screens and assessments, or accessing substance use services.
- Programming could be specific to members released from the Department of Corrections.
- Increased engagement from pregnant members by ensuring prenatal visits occur and/or that members experiencing high-risk pregnancies are identified and receive support
- Reduce the number of members who access the emergency department (ED) for care more appropriately addressed in the primary care setting
- Ensure the members are connected or referred to needed services (i.e., behavioral, substance use, physical) before ED discharge to decrease the probability of repeat visits
- Enhance relationships between primary care providers and specialty care providers to ensure members are getting the care they need in a timely and appropriate manner
- Decrease overall cost of care for members by helping to ensure members receive the right level of service, in the right setting, at the right time
- Improve health outcomes and decrease health risks of members by:
- Addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) needs
- Implementing evidenced-based programming to help members manage any chronic condition, for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, hypertension and diabetes
- Increase overall engagement in the Public Health Emergency (PHE) Unwind-specific activities to ensure member’s care is not interrupted:
- Support members with updating their address on the PEAK website to ensure they receive updated enrollment information
- Individual outreach and engagement with members before their renewal date to assist them with completing and submitting the Health First Colorado application
- Ensure members are connected with Connect for Health Colorado resources if no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage
- Promote communication and messaging around the new Health First Colorado renewal process and PHE termination timeline
Awardee Expectations
If selected, awarded organizations are expected to:
- Adhere to the terms outlined in the negotiated contract. Any changes to the project terms will require a contract amendment
- Maintain regular and timely communications with CCHA staff, including periodic check-in calls on project status
- Submit timely scheduled deliverable reports, as outlined in the negotiated contract
- Funding will not be awarded in a lump sum. Upon contract execution, a portion of the funding will be released. Subsequent payments are contingent upon satisfactory deliverables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I have questions about the application and process. How can I get more information?
A: Attend our applicant Q&A meeting on June 16, 2022, 3-4 pm. Please contact PIAC@CCHAcares.com to be added to the invite or submit questions.
Q: I’m having trouble with the application web form. Who do I contact for support?
A: Please ensure all required fields are completed and all required attachments are in PDF format. If you have further questions, please contact PIAC@CCHAcares.com.
Q: Who decides which projects receive funding?
A: While CCHA oversees the overall program, the Regional PIAC voting members are responsible for selecting projects to be funded. Find a list of voting members here.
Q: Can voting members vote for their own organization’s proposal?
A: No. Voting members are required to disclose any conflicts of interest related to the applications submitted. They may not evaluate, participate in discussions about, or vote to select an application with which they have a conflict of interest.
Q: Is there a lower limit on how many Region 6 or Region 7 members we need to serve each year to qualify?
A: There is not a lower limit; however, voting members can consider this when voting.
Q: Will outreach and engagement to screen individuals for substance use treatment be eligible?
A: A project such as this is eligible as screening and preventive services align with the priorities, especially around substance use.
Q: What time frame do the awards cover?
A: The awards will cover the calendar year 2022.
Q: We are a pediatric clinically integrated network that supports practices within your RAE. Can we apply on behalf of our practices?
A: Yes, you can apply on behalf of your practices with the caveat that the applicant needs to define how the funding will go to services not already provided by the RAE or Health First Colorado.
Q: Can hospitals participate? Are there any hospitals that are currently participating?
A: Yes, hospitals can participate. At this time, no hospitals are participating in the Community Incentive Program.
Q: What is the range of dollar amounts available for each project?
A: Up to $150,000 was awarded to selected applicants for the 2022 Community Incentive Program. Applicants can apply for a higher amount; however, voting members will make the final decision on whether a full or partial amount is awarded.
Q: Are you going to look at disparities and hard-to-reach communities?
A: Yes, we will look at disparities and hard-to-reach communities.
Q: Is CCHA expecting quarterly goals and a set timeline to meet those goals?
A: Within the application, CCHA is requesting a timeline of outcomes and goals. Additionally, awardees will be asked to submit periodic deliverables, which will, in turn, trigger a payment.
Q: Is it better to focus on one priority area or multiple (i.e., we provide dental, behavioral health, primary care, and case management)?
A: This depends on the applicant. If applicants believe they can succeed with more than one priority area, CCHA encourages applicants to do so. However, if applicants feel that focusing on one priority area is best, that is acceptable as well.
Q: Are voting members who also apply for funds required to recuse themselves from the voting process?
A: Voting members who have a stake in any organizations that apply for funding must disclose their association before beginning the voting phase of the program. They must also recuse themselves.
Q: How weighted will the score be for collaborative projects?
A: Collaborations are considered during the voting process; however, they are not weighted higher.
Q: Is there a specific number of people or percentage of patients that have to be part of the RAE to apply for the program?
A: CCHA is looking to support programs for entities that primarily serve CCHA/Health First Colorado members; however, there is not a specific number or percentage to qualify as an applicant. Voting members will consider this when reviewing applications.
Q: Is there a word/character limit for answers to each question on the application form?
A: While the application form does not have a specific limit on each answer, we recommend limiting answers to no more than two pages (approximately 800 words).
- Organizations currently serving Health First Colorado members in Region 6 or 7 are eligible. Applications must be specific to one region; however, an organization can apply for projects in both regions by submitting two different applications.
- Organizations with historical experience serving Health First Colorado members for a minimum of two years
- Programs, services, or initiatives that directly serve Health First Colorado members, entities within the community or health neighborhood network
- Health neighborhood network: A network of entities that bill Health First Colorado or are directly funded by Health First Colorado through a contract
- Community network: A network of entities that do not bill Health First Colorado, nor are they supported by Health First Colorado funding but work with members (or eligible populations) in the community.
- If previous award winners apply for 2023 funding, CCHA will share relevant performance information with voting members.
- Programs, services and initiatives not already covered by a Health First Colorado benefit and/or CCHA include:
- Programs, services and initiatives already funded by state or federal dollars are ineligible. For example, if your organization already has federal grant funding for the proposed work, it will not qualify for this incentive program unless it clearly delineates an expansion of unfunded services.
- Programs that align directly with at least one priority listed above
- Program must have at least one component dedicated toward the five priorities in alignment to HCPF’s Health Equity Framework to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in health care.
- Priorities:
- Expand the Collection, Reporting, and Analysis of Standardized Data
- Assess Causes of Disparities within Organization Programs, and Address Inequities in Policies and Operations to Close Gaps
- Build Capacity of Department Workforce to Reduce Health and Health Care Disparities
- Advance Language Access, Health Literacy, and the Provision of Culturally Tailored Services
- Increase All Forms of Accessibility to Health Care Services and Coverage
- All data used must have relevant sources listed as references
- Entities must have a nondiscrimination policy
- Collaborations and partnerships (informal/formal) among entities are strongly encouraged as well as applications from rural counties.
- Organizations can request up to $150,000. Requests over $75,000 need to consider the following criteria:
- No more than 75% of requested funds can be applied toward full-time employees (FTEs) or personnel expenses
- 25% of funds must be applied directly to member services and supplies (i.e., diapers, rental assistance, car repairs, maternity items, transportation, vouchers, etc.)
- Marketing - The definition of “marketing” is established in Section 10 of these Marketing Guidelines. The term includes any activity of an employee of a plan sponsor, an independent agent, and independent broker or other similar managerial marketing position intended to affect a beneficiary’s choice.
- Capital requests – defined as the money an organization or corporate entity spends to buy, maintain, or improve its own fixed assets, such as buildings, vehicles, equipment, or land. It is considered a capital expenditure when the asset is newly purchased or when money is used toward extending the useful life of an existing asset, such as repairing the roof.
- State and federal lobbying
- Individuals
- Programs that require membership in a specific religion or advance a particular religious faith (faith-based organizations may be eligible for funding if they welcome and serve all members of the community regardless of religious belief, and provided that they do not require participation in specifically religious activities)
- Debt retirement
- Fundraising events
- Endowments
- Any covered services under the scope of the regional organization (CCHA) or Health First Colorado (see eligibility section for links to detailed information):
- Practice transformation
- Care coordination, care navigation, care management, peer support
- Network development/support
- Any services covered under the behavioral health capitated benefit, including therapeutic services
- Awardees who received funding for two consecutive years are not eligible to apply for a third consecutive year within the same region. However, organizations can apply again after not receiving funding for one year.
- The repeat application exclusion does not apply to rural communities.
- CCHA may disqualify an application based on the above exclusion criteria.
CCHA is committed to reinvesting the KPI incentives dollars back into the community.
- A portion of the dollars will be used to fund the CCHA Community Incentive Program through an application process voted on by CCHA’s Regional PIAC.
- The final amount awarded will be dependent on the total available funds for this program year. In addition, PIAC voting members may partially fund a proposal, depending on the amount available for the program, other requests and justification for the dollars spent.
- The number of awards and awardees could change depending on total funds and total applications received.
- Funding will not be awarded in a lump sum. Upon contract execution, a portion of the funding will be released. Subsequent payments are contingent upon satisfactory deliverables.
- The funding term is one year, with the option to re-apply.
- CCHA will prioritize projects focusing on reducing health disparities among the Health First Colorado population and intends to award a significant portion of available dollars toward these projects.
Step 1: June 1, 2022 – July 31, 2022 - Regional PIAC issues a request for community organizations to submit funding proposal (application must be completed using the application and budget templates found on the CCHA website)
Step 2: August 1, 2022 – August 31, 2022 - CCHA staff reviews all applications and reaches out to organizations for any additional supporting information.
Step 3: September 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022 - Regional PIAC voting members will receive the applications via email and will have four weeks to review them.
Step 4: Week of October 10, 2022 - A voting member-ONLY meeting will be held to review and vote on approved applications.
Step 5: October 31, 2022 – November 4, 2022 – Applicants will be notified of award status.
Step 6: Awards will be presented at the December Regional PIAC meeting.
Step 7: During November and December, contracts will be signed, and the first portion of the funding will be awarded.