Welcome to the Health First Colorado Behavioral Health Updates

Health First Colorado Behavioral Health Updates provides content relevant to the full spectrum of behavioral health services in Colorado. Feel free to forward this newsletter to other interested stakeholders!   

All editions will be available on the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing’s (HCPF) Behavioral Health Reform webpage.   

Share your feedback, ideas, and questions at hcpf_safetynetforum@state.co.us

Policy/Legislation Updates   

Extension Request to Colorado's 1115 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Waiver Demonstration 

HCPF is pleased to share that Colorado is requesting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) extend the current 1115 “Expanding the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Continuum of Care” Waiver. HCPF is proposing an extension to the current SUD demonstration, implementing all pending amendments, and including presumptive eligibility for long term services and supports. Accordingly, HCPF is proposing to rename the demonstration, “Comprehensive Care for Colorado.” 

The renewal is currently posted on HCPF’s 1115 Waiver website and open for public comment until October 10th, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. MST.  

Please direct questions to hcpf_1115waiver@state.co.us. 

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) 

Colorado House Bill 24-1384, “Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics” required HCPF, in collaboration with the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) in the Department of Human Services, to apply to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for a CCBHC Demonstration Planning Grant. The application was submitted on September 11, 2024. Learn more on the CCBHC webpage or join us at an upcoming CCBHC stakeholder engagement forum. 

Billing Updates

State Behavioral Health Services (SBHS) Billing Manual Update in October   

HCPF publishes an updated SBHS Billing Manual each quarter (July, October, January, April). See the website linked above for the new version that will be posted in October. This Billing Manual has significant content intended to help behavioral health providers bill for services accurately, as well as understand a wide range of behavioral health policies, standards and resources. For questions regarding the Billing Manual contact: hcpf_bhcoding@state.co.us 

Coverage Spotlight

Behavioral Health Independent Provider Network (IPN) 

The IPN consists of behavioral health providers not associated with larger systems (hospitals, residential settings, community centers, etc.). Over the past two years, HCPF contracted with Arrow Performance Group to lead the IPN, Regional Accountable Entity (RAE) and HCPF Collaboration Project. The project consisted of a collaborative working process between the RAEs, the IPN, and HCPF to identify and resolve barriers to delivering behavioral health services to Health First Colorado members. Phase I and Phase II Final Reports are posted on HCPF’s BH IPN Collaborative website.  



Recently, HCPF contracted with Arrow Performance Group to conduct a third annual IPN satisfaction survey. The results of this year’s survey, as well as analysis of trends over the last 3 years have will be posted on HCPF’s BH IPN Collaborative website in early October.  

Did You Know?

Did you know that Colorado is preparing to transition to the American Standards of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) 4th Edition Criteria in July 2026? 

In preparation for this transition, HCPF and the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) are starting a withdrawal management-focused workgroup as the state prepares for the transition into ASAM 4th Edition standards, with an aimed effective date of July 1, 2026. This workgroup will convene on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. Stakeholders who already volunteered to participate will receive a Zoom registration link/invitation within the next few weeks. If you wish to participate but have not yet volunteered, please contact cdhs_bharulefeedback@state.co.us to be added to the invitation list. 

Other Things Happening in Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health Provider Training & Technical Assistance Program 

Thank You 

Thank you to the more than 280 individuals from across Colorado who attended live trainings and/or office hours as part of HCPF’s training and technical assistance (TTA) program. We appreciate the shared dedication to expanding benefits and services, improving access to care, and elevating quality.  

In addition to the 12 live trainings and 7 office hours, more than 30 pre-recorded trainings and 45 frequently asked questions (FAQs) were shared during the program period. Topics included behavioral health basics, BHA licensure and approval, payment, quality improvement and capacity building, serving specific populations and workforce. 

Continued Support for Behavioral Health Providers 

HCPF is committed to continuing to provide support to behavioral health providers. Visit the safety net provider landing page for access to the latest information, resources, and FAQs. The Training Library page is your one-stop-shop for all trainings, including foundational and introductory training materials. 

Connect with Us

Quarterly SUD Provider Forum – October 2, 2024 

The Quarterly SUD Provider Forum is open to providers and other stakeholders to learn about policies, changes and expectations of service delivery and billing in the SUD continuum of care. This is a discussion-oriented meeting held quarterly on the first Wednesday of the month from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. The next SUD Provider Forum is Wednesday, October 2, 2024. Review the Provider Forum Agenda on the SUD webpage and register via Zoom. Discussion topics for this quarter include:  

• SUD services are part of the safety net - Are you interested in learning more? Are there barriers that make joining difficult? 
• Preparing for the transition to ASAM 4 - What do you see as challenges or opportunities as the state prepares to transition to ASAM 4? (Note: Aimed transition date is July 2026) 

Fourth Annual SUD Forum – October 16, 2024 

The fourth annual SUD stakeholder forum will be held virtually in October. During the annual forum, HCPF will review the Annual Report for Demonstration Year 3 and update the community about the 1115 Waiver “Expanding the Substance Use Disorder Continuum of Care.” Send any questions and feedback about gaps you see in the SUD services continuum to the 1115 Inbox. This year’s forum will be held virtually Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Participants can register now to attend.   

Participants will be able to have questions answered about how the benefit expansion works and share ideas about community needs in the SUD space.   

Behavioral Health Provider Engagement Opportunities 

Behavioral health providers are encouraged to participate in provider forums, meetings and office hours. Below are a series of ongoing opportunities available. Many of these sessions require registration to allow for planning based on attendance and to prepare responses and presentations designed to address questions often submitted in advance.  

Forums: Designed to be a space for presentation of information and discussion:   

• IMD Forum – Monthly Last Thursday 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Join via Google Meet.   
• IPN Collaboration (Webinar) - Quarterly First Friday 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Register in advance.    
• Safety Net Provider Forum – Monthly Last Friday 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Register in advance.   
• SUD Forum – Quarterly First Wednesday 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Register in advance.    
• Peer Support Workforce Collaborative Meetings led by BHA – Quarterly First Thursday 12-1:30 p.m. Register in advance through the BHA’s Stakeholder Calendar.    
• Crisis Services Forum – Bi-Monthly 4th Thursday 11:00 AM - 12:30 p.m. Register in advance.   
• Behavioral Health Hospital Engagement Forum – Quarterly Second Friday 10:00 -11:00 a.m. Register in advance.     
• CCBHC stakeholder engagement forum - Fortnightly Wednesdays from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Register in advance. 

Office Hours and Technical Assistance: Designed to be a “drop in” space for quick answers to issues best addressed by a brief discussion:   

• Crisis Provider TA – Monthly Second Tuesday 11:00 a.m. - noon. Register in advance.    
• SUD Provider TA - Monthly on the 1st Wednesday 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Register in advance.    
• Housing Provider TA - Monthly on the last Thursday 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Register in advance.   
• Peer Providers TA - Monthly on the 4th Thursday 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Register in advance. 

Share your feedback, ideas and questions: hcpf_safetynetforum@state.co.us