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Host Home Provider of the Month

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Please join us in congratulating Rigzin on her award! This write-up was produced by Abby on the Loveland Team-

I would like to nominate Rigzin for HHP of the month. After living with her family her whole life, Andrea moved in with Rigzin last November. This was a huge transition and change for Andrea. Since then, Rigzin has given her a safe environment to live her best life. She feels that her and Andrea were “meant to be” when it comes to being a host home provider.

On my home visits, Andrea has been more engaged and smiling more each time I go for a visit. Rigzin also makes sure that Andrea is still able to connect and spend time with her family, who are very important to her. Other than helping Andrea stay happy and healthy, Rigzin also excels on the paperwork side and always ensures that documentation is completed and turned in in a timely manner. She is great at communicating with Andrea’s team, and always stays on top of everything.

Thanks again, Rigzin, for being such a wonderful provider!!

QA COrner

Quality Assurance News & Updates

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September 18-22 is Fall Prevention Awareness Week 

Falls among older adults are common, preventable and are the leading cause of injury and/or death among those 65+. More than 95% of hip fractures are a result of a fall. Many falls are cause by environmental or lifestyle habits. Scheduling regular visits to healthcare providers and incorporating strength-building exercises into your weekly routine can reduce the risk of falls. Simple modifications to our home environment can also reduce fall risk.  This month, we encourage everyone to utilize the CDC’s Home Fall Prevention Checklist to identify potential fall hazards in your home. The checklist includes ways to fix the problem.

Additionally, the National Counsil on Aging (NCOA) has a Fall Prevention Conversation Guide for Caregivers as well as many other resources on their website.

 

FREE Battery Backup for Colorado Medicaid Recipients

With funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and in collaboration with The Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering (CIDE) The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) will be distributing Batter Backup Power Supply Systems to eligible Health First Colorado members. Qualifying medical devices include but are not limited to; CPAP/BIPAP machines, Dialysis machines, Stair Lifts, Nutrition pumps, Oxygen concentrator machines, suctioning devices and more.

If you are interested in getting a Backup Power Supply System, you can learn more and complete the application here.  Once received, the application will be reviewed, information verified, and a determination made if the applicant qualifies. There is a limited supply, and a final decision will be made on eligibility and the availability of devices. All applicants will be notified of their results within two months of receipt of the application.

QA COrner

QA News & Updates- Dental & Vision Benefits

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DENTAL & VISION INSURANCE VS WAIVER BENEFITS

  • DENTAL SERVICES:
    • Participants enrolled on the HCBS-DD waiver who are 21 or older receive dental benefits provided by Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program). Additional dental services may be accessed by the participants waiver funding.

Below is a breakdown of the dental benefits waver participants are eligible for:

Health First Colorado (Medicaid) provided by DentaQuest

Up to $1,500/ year

 Funded by waiver, billed/ provided by DentaQuest (Preventative & basic services)

Up to $2,000/ service plan year

 Funded by waiver, billed/ provided by DentaQuest Up to $10,000/5-year renewal period
Annual dental exams & cleanings Exams, cleaning and x-rays * Crowns & bridges *
Diagnostic & restorative dental services (x-rays & fillings) Mouth guards * Dentures *
Extractions (tooth pulling) Topical fluoride treatment * Implants when necessary to support a dental bridge or when necessary to increase the stability of crowns, bridges, and dentures. *
Root canals * Fillings & root canals *  
Crowns * Dentures, crowns, bridge repair *  
Partial dentures * Non-emergency extractions *  
Complete dentures * Treatment of injuries *  
  Restoration or recovery of decaying or fractured teeth *  
  Dental insurance premiums and co-pays/co-insurance *  

*These services require prior authorization*.

Health First Colorado has partnered with DentaQuest to help members find a dentist and use their dental benefits. If you need help findings a dentist, you can call DentaQuest at 1-855-225-1729 or visit https://dentaquest.com/

 

  • VISION SERVICES:
    • Participants enrolled on the HCBS-DD waiver who are 21 or older receive vision benefits provided by Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program).
    • Vision services must be provided by a licensed Optometrist or Physician

Below is a breakdown of the vision benefits waver participants are eligible for:

Health First Colorado (Medicaid)

 

 Funded by waiver (Service Plan)
Eye exam Eye exams and diagnosis
Glasses & contact lenses ONLY after surgery Glasses & contact lenses, except after surgery *
  Other medically necessary methods used to improve specific dysfunctions of the vision system. **
  Lasik and other similar types of procedures

 

*Prior to placing an order for glasses or contact lenses, the vendor must submit an invoice to the CMA (Case Management Agency) who will send payment to the vendor so the prescription can be filled.

** Lasik and similar procedures must be medically appropriate and pre-approved by the CMA. Lasik and other similar types of procedures are only prior approved and allowable when the procedure is necessary due to documented specific behavioral complexities (i.e., constant destruction of eyeglasses) that make other more traditional remedies impractical.

Heath First Colorado (Medicaid) members can find an Optometrist through the Health First Colorado website https://www.healthfirstcolorado.com/find-doctors/

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Global Down Syndrome Foundation Eye Care & Vision Conference

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The GLOBAL Down Syndrome Foundation Eye Care & Vision in Down Syndrome Conference will occur August 17th and 19th in Denver/Aurora!

Calling all medical professionals, family members and self-advocates— Register now for this FREE first-in-kind conference providing the latest updates and best practices for eye care and vision for children and adults with Down syndrome. Nationally recognized experts Drs. Emily McCourt and Michael Puente will be presenting two conferences opportunities, one for Medical Professionals on Aug 17th with CMEs, and one for family members/self-advocates on Aug 19th. All your questions about eye health and vision will be answered! Free parking, drinks and a sumptuous three-course meal included! Register using the link below.

https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/eye-and-vision-professional-conference/

Thank you

Looking for care homes near you? Support, Inc. provides innovative IDD community services

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We’d like to give a huge shout out to Host Home Provider, Jamie Sanchez, for her amazing work. Jamie goes above and beyond to support our individuals in services and is a true example of a “people helping people” person! She went on several fun trips this summer with the three individuals she supports. On June 10th, they went kayaking, and on July 8th, they went to the Pueblo Reservoir to rent a pontoon boat. At one point NM and DY even steered the pontoon! After boating, they went to the gift shop to buy merchandise and then went out for dinner. Check out pictures below of their adventures. Thank you, Jamie, for being a rockstar Host Home Provider!!!

 

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Clinical Department News & Updates

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Recently, a group of Support, Inc. individuals receiving services joined Faith McElroy, Support Inc. Clinician, other Clinical Team members and Direct Staff for a day at the zoo! The individuals in our services practiced community navigation and some travelled to the zoo via Uber, Direct Care Staff, Access-a-Ride, and some drove themselves! Individuals had the opportunity to experience a local destination, interact with community members and meet other persons receiving services.  Animals that were highlighted on this trip to the zoo included giraffes, penguins, seals, and the tropical discovery forest. The event was a big success and a great example of true community integration! Thank you, Clinical Team!

Our Clinical Team was also recently highlighted in Colorado State University’s Newsletter. Big thanks to CSU for spotlighting two wonderful doctorate students, Imani and Archana, who work as interns at Support Inc.! They’ve had an amazing impact on our company and most importantly our individual’s receiving services. Read the full article below.

CHHS Summer Standouts: Occupational Therapy doctorate students work to enhance the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities – College of Health and Human Sciences (colostate.edu)