An Overview for Community Partners

Transcription

1 An Overview for Community Partners

2 Goals For Today After this training, you should understand: 1) PEAK usage to date 2) Key lessons learned to date 3) What PEAK is, why it was created, and where to find it 4) How community partners can use PEAK to assist clients 5) Available resources & support

3 Goal: To ensure that every eligible individual, child and family in Colorado is screened for and enrolled in the health, food and financial self-sufficiency benefits that help them thrive.

4 What are the current usage numbers for PEAK? *8/9/11

5 Key Lessons Learned From PEAK Thus Far Many adults without children are using PEAK to apply for medical benefits why is this happening? Screener may be confusing as it says they are potentially eligible but doesn t clarify that they need to use the paper application to apply Clients are not reading the definition of Family Medicaid/CHP+ provided in PEAK Clients are selecting all programs Adult medical programs will be added to PEAK 1 st quarter, 2012 Is PEAK being kept up-to-date with CBMS? Yes, PEAK changes are being brought online as CBMS changes so that the two systems continue to speak to one another correctly

6 Key Lessons Learned From PEAK Thus Far Does PEAK send applications to the county of residence or the county of a stated mailing address? County of residence is where PEAK applications and change reports go unless it is medical only application, then it will be processed by MAXIMUS Why do some applications go to another county other than the client s county of residence? There are certain zip codes that are shared between two counties. When PEAK was designed, only one county could be designated as the primary for that zip code. A Business Requirement Document is being circulated for approval to correct this issue and to allow for greater clarity as to where applications are processed

7 Key Lessons Learned From PEAK Thus Far Why doesn t PEAK provide more detailed specific information about where an application is being processed? The zip code enhancement change will allow for greater clarity The zip code enhancement will also allow for selective HMO options in PEAK so clients will only be given the HMOs in their area Counties are receiving a large number of applications for cash assistance from people who are not eligible. Why? The screener is set for a two-parent household with 10 children so it is telling a number of folks that they may be potentially eligible Clients are choosing to apply for all programs without looking at the explanation of who may be eligible for the cash assistance programs

8 PEAK Overview

9 What is Colorado PEAK? New website that allows clients to access self- sufficiency benefit information from any computer with internet access.

10 Overview: PEAK Online Application PEAK is: A data flow tool One more access point for benefits An application form similar to the Single Purpose Application PEAK is not: An eligibility determination tool Applicable for all situations Applicable for all programs A replacement of the county eligibility role

11 1 Colorado Health Institute. Retrieved on November 25, 2009 from ttp://datacenter.coloradohealthinstitute.org/data_results.jsp?i=275&rt=3&p=2&c=2 2 U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Retrieved on December 13, 2008 from 3 Colorado Children s Campaign 2010 Kids Count Annual Report 4 * Why was PEAK Created? Colorado ranks 48 th for children s health coverage 1 Colorado ranks 48 th for food assistance enrollment 2 Colorado ranks 30 th for percentage of overall population living below federal poverty level 2 Colorado ranks 28 th for child poverty 2 Just 52% of eligible Coloradans are enrolled in food assistance 2 The child poverty rate in Colorado has grown by 72% since this is the fastest growing rate in the US 4

12 Why was PEAK created? Create local access points for health, food & financial benefits Empower clients to screen, apply & manage their own cases Remove barriers to enrollment & renewal for eligible Coloradans Increase efficiencies for county and medical assistance offices

13 What services does Colorado PEAK offer?

14 Overview: What services does PEAK offer?

15 Overview: What services does PEAK offer? 1) Am I Eligible? Screening tool to see what health, food and financial selfsufficiency benefits a client might be eligible for. 2) Apply For Benefits Apply for health, food and financial self-sufficiency benefits online 3) Check My Benefits See details about existing benefits including renewal deadlines 4) Report My Changes Report changes to your existing case (i.e. new contact information or employment details)

16 Step 1: Am I Eligible? Screens for potential eligibility for cash, food and medical assistance Results are immediate Programs include: Colorado Works/TANF Adult Financial Aid to the Blind (AB) Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND) Colorado Supplement to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Old Age Pension (OAP) Home Care Allowance (HCA) Burial Assistance Food Assistance/SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) All Medical Programs: Family Medicaid/CHP+ Adult Medicaid Long Term Care

17 Step 2: Apply For Benefits Clients can initiate an application for cash, food and medical assistance Only Family Medicaid/CHP+ Clients select programs for which they wish to apply Application asks only questions related to the programs selected Application takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete

18 Step 2: Apply For Benefits Programs supported include: Colorado Works/TANF Adult Financial Aid to the Blind (AB) Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND) Colorado Supplement to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Old Age Pension (OAP) Home Care Allowance (HCA) Burial Assistance Food Assistance/SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) Family Medicaid/CHP+

19 Overview: Apply For Benefits

22 Step 3: Check My Benefits Allows people who are currently receiving benefits to access: Current information Renewal date for benefits Simple to use Clients create an account with a user name and password in PEAK and then search for their case NOTE: This is not a status checker it will not give the status of an application being processed for eligibility

23 Check My Benefits

24 Overview: Check My Benefits

25 Step 4: Report My Change Clients easily report changes using any computer with internet access Contact information Pregnancy status Death Employment Additional income Rent/utilities Illness/disability Marital Status Supplies current case information client inputs what has changed Some changes may require document verification Change Reports submitted in PEAK go to the local county office

26 Report My Changes

29 What Happens After an Application or Change Report is Submitted?

30 Where Do PEAK Applications and Change Reports Go for Processing? Applications submitted in PEAK go to one of two places based upon the programs selected in the application: 1. Local county offices for food assistance only, cash assistance only, and all combination cases (Based on zip code entered in the application) 2. Colorado Medical Assistance Program Vendor for medical only cases Change reports go to the local county office.

31 How Do Clients and Community Partners Know Where to Send Verification Documents? The third sentence of the printed application states specifically where an application was submitted for processing. The PEAK tracking number should be on each page of every document sent in for verification

32 How Can You Submit Verification Documents From Clients to the County Each county can receive verification documents in a number of ways: Scanned and ed Mailed Faxed Dropped-off in person Counties will have a preferred method of receiving documents contact your specific county partners for this information.

33 How Do You Send Documents to the Colorado Medical Assistance Program Vendor (MAXIMUS)? Documents may be mailed, faxed, or dropped-off in person. CBOs can also request an account that allows for and fax. To set-up an account, Mail: Colorado Medical Assistance Program P.O. Box 929 Denver, CO Fax : (303) Drop-off: 4500 Cherry Creek South Drive, Ste. 200 Glendale, CO (800)

34 Locating County Offices & Application Assistant Sites

35 ? How Can Community Partners Assist With PEAK?

36 How Can Community Partners Assist? 1. Direct clients to the online site 2. Provide space and computers for clients to apply for benefits online 3. Provide assistance to clients as they initiate an application 4. Guide clients through the application process assisting with documents needed to complete an online application

37 What Does Directing Clients Look Like? 1. Direct clients to the online site: Weld Food Bank provides grocery assistance to clients. As they prepare the boxes for distribution, workers insert flyers with information about PEAK and how clients can apply for benefits in the boxes of food. Weld Food Bank front desk employees are knowledgeable about the online tool and hand a business card with colorado.gov/peak to people inquiring about assistance. The food bank also displays posters and flyers for PEAK in its lobby.

38 How Can You Provide Space? 2. Provide space and computers for clients to apply for benefits online: Coal Ridge High School in Garfield County opens its computer lab after hours for parents to use the computers to access the internet. The computer lab displays posters and flyers about PEAK and online access to benefits.

39 How Can You Help Initiate an Application? 3. Provide assistance to clients as they initiate an application The People s Clinic was awarded a special grant to hire an outreach worker who concentrates on enrolling people for benefits. They assess the needs of clients by using the Am I Eligible screener in PEAK. Based on what they observe and learn from the screener, they use either the online application in PEAK or the paper application to begin the process of applying for benefits.

40 What Does Guiding Clients Through the Process Look Like? 4. Guide clients through the application process assisting with documents needed to complete an online application St. Paul s Episcopal Church provides evening meals for those in need in their local community. As part of this service, they have a caseworker present to provide application assistance and counseling for anyone who wants to apply for benefits. This counselor helps the client complete the application and assists them with pulling together the necessary documentation needed.

41 Questions for You 1. How could PEAK help your clients? 2. What level(s) of engagement would work the best for your organization? 1. Direct clients to the online site 2. Provide space and computers for clients to apply for benefits online 3. Provide assistance to clients as they initiate an application 4. Guide clients through the application process assisting with documents needed to complete an online application 3. What two (2) steps can and will you take this week to begin using PEAK?

42 What Resources Are Available To You?

43 CO PEAK Initiative: Toolkit Elements

44 Optional Weekly Calls During Initial Launch Period Calls will include counties, community partners, PEAK Outreach Team, state agencies, OIT and Deloitte to answer questions in real time. Calls: Mondays, 11:00 AM 12:00 PM Thursdays, 9:00 AM 10:00 AM #

45 Technical Issues with PEAK Phone: Application Questions Local county office for combination cases Medical program assistance vendor for medical only cases For Program Information colorado.gov/hcpf cdhs.state.co.us For Training Questions colorado.gov/peak

46 PEAK Outreach Team Dawn Joyce, MPH Project Director (303) Jacqueline Sullivan, MAIPS Project & Communications Manager (720) Patrick T. Kelly, MPhil Project Manager (720) Tami Agne Project Consultant (303)

47 Thank You!

48 What Are the Advantages of Applying Using PEAK?

49 Advantages to Applicants Self-service option for initiating an application for benefits Available 24-hours/day, 7 days a week Saves application drafts for 30 days Allowing clients to apply during convenient times for them Allows clients to apply from a comfortable environment

50 Advantages to Applicants Acts as a single application to access multiple programs Empowers clients by allowing them to screen for potential eligibility, apply, and make changes online Can be less overwhelming than the paper application Applicants just see one screen at a time Available in Spanish and English

51 Advantages to Community Partners (CBOs) Allows CBOs to provide a wider range of services to clients Allows CBO staff to easily allow clients to screen themselves for potential eligibility thus adjusting the level of assistance offered Provides a tool to help manage the lifecycle of a client Allows CBOs to potentially assist clients in a more sustainable manner Provides potential opportunities to increase funding streams

52 Advantages to Counties & Medical Assistance sites Reduces flow of clients needing to fill out applications in county and MA offices Creates efficiencies for counties and MA sites thereby improving capacity to process applications Reduces data entry for county and MA site workers, leading to fewer errors and time savings Legibility eliminates guess work

53 Advantages to Counties & Medical Assistance Sites Informs clients of potentially required documentation Fewer incomplete applications = fewer call backs Allows clients to report changes and check benefits online Reduced applicant calls and visits to offices E-signature eliminates a major cause of incomplete applications Informs clients of renewal date Quick return of paperwork