Welcome to the Health First Colorado Behavioral Health Updates Newsletter from the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF).

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!   

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Planning Grant Award and Monthly Stakeholder Forum Launch

HCPF and the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) are excited to announce that Colorado has been awarded a one-year Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Planning Grant for the 2025 calendar year. Thank you to all the stakeholders, community partners, and state department partners who participated in the application submission process. Colorado’s participation in the CCBHC Planning Grant is a part of a state-wide, multi-agency effort to build and expand Colorado’s behavioral health system of care. The CCBHC Planning Grant will allow HCPF and BHA to explore how the CCBHC model will complement the Colorado Safety Net System to promote Colorado’s overall goal of integrated and accessible behavioral health care with sustainable funding practices. 

To launch this collaborative effort, HCPF and BHA are hosting a monthly public meeting for all CCBHC stakeholders to review progress and decisions and collect input. The forum is open to members, providers, individuals with lived experience and their families, advocates, state agencies, managed care entities, and anyone interested in learning more about the CCBHC model in Colorado. 

The monthly CCBHC Stakeholder Forum kicks off January 29 at 1:00 PM and will be held on the last Wednesday of every month. Please register in advance to attend.  Refer to the CCBHC web page for more information. 

State Behavioral Health Services Billing Manual Webpage Update

HCPF has updated our State Behavioral Health Services Billing Manual webpage to include a new resource for providers. Providers will now see the Behavioral Health Policies, Standards, and Billing References link/webpage. HCPF has created this webpage to include content that has historically been published in the State Behavioral Health Services Billing Manual, as well as other free-standing guidance and policies that can support providers. Please review this website to familiarize yourselves with the content. Send any questions or feedback about this resource to hcpf_bhcoding@state.co.us.

Benefit Spotlight

Improving Intensive Behavioral Health Services: Medicaid System of Care for Children and Youth

A new proposed Medicaid System of Care (M-SOC) initiative is scheduled for a Spring 2025 release. This initiative is designed to improve the behavioral health and well-being of children and youth under age 21 by improving intensive behavioral health services through expanding and adding in-home treatment services. This innovative approach is based on an evidence-based, systemic framework and aims to provide comprehensive, coordinated care for children and families. The goal of M-SOC is to ensure that intensive services are delivered in an effective, supportive, and family-centered manner. Refer to the Improving Intensive Behavioral Health Services web page for more information.

Sign up to receive the Medicaid System of Care for Children and Youth Behavioral Health newsletter. This newsletter will be sent quarterly with meeting information, training updates and opportunities, benchmark achievements and other exciting news. Email HCPF_MSOC@state.co.us with any questions.

FAQs/Clarifications of Coverage and Billing Questions

Claims Denials Begin January 1, 2025 for Past-Due Revalidations

Effective January 1, 2025, claims for providers that have not completed revalidation by their due date will be denied. Providers who successfully revalidate may resubmit their claims. 

ATTENTION: State Plan or B3 Modifiers on Behavioral Health Claims 

All first position modifiers that indicated a State Plan (SP) service or a “B3” service (i.e. HE, HK, U4, TM, HM, HJ, TT, HT, HQ, HF) were deleted from the State Behavioral Health Services (SBHS) Billing Manual on January 1, 2024.  

Effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2025, Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) were instructed to reject or deny claims that included the SP or B3 modifiers on claims in the first position.

If you receive a claim rejection, please resubmit a new claim without the SP or B3 modifier.  If you receive a claim denial, please resubmit either a new claim or a corrected claim without the SP or B3 modifier.



HCPF is aware that some providers are experiencing denials due to use of these modifiers and is sharing this policy again to reduce future denials.

Other Things Happening in Behavioral Health

Emergency Medical and Trauma Services (EMTS) Grant Application Now Open

Fiscal Year 2026 applications for the EMTS Funding program will be accepted through February 15, 2025, for provider and system improvement grant proposals. The EMTS Funding program is open to organizations that provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and trauma services in Colorado. Review the EMTS Funding Guide or contact Andre Smith with questions.

Connect with Us

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.  

View the full calendar of events on the BHIC webpage.

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

• CCBHC Stakeholder Forum - monthly on the last Wednesday 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Register in advance. 
• Behavioral Health Hospital Engagement Forum – Quarterly on the 2nd Friday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Register in advance.
• Independent Provider Network Forum - Quarterly on the 1st Friday 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Register in advance.   
• Peer Support Workforce Collaborative Meetings led by BHA – Quarterly on the 1st Thursday 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM. Register in advance through the BHA’s Stakeholder Calendar.  
• SUD Forum – Quarterly on the 1st Wednesday 2:00 – 3:00 PM. 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 Office Hours – Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday 11:00 AM - noon. Register in advance. 
• Crisis Office Hours – Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday 11:00 AM - noon. Register in advance.  
• Supportive Housing Provider TA - Monthly on the last Thursday 2:00 – 3:00 PM. Register in advance. 
• Mental Health Transitional Living Home – Level 2 Office Hours – Monthly on the last Thursday 3:00 – 4:00PM. Advanced registration is not required. Use zoom to attend.

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