Oct. 27, 2022
This newsletter provides important information and updates from the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (the Department) on House Bill (HB) 18-1136 and the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) benefit at Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program). Feel free to share this newsletter with your colleagues. Previous editions are on the SUD Webpage.

Your feedback, ideas and questions are welcome and can be shared with us at [email protected].

Thank you for your interest!
What's New

AMA’s 2022 Overdose Epidemic National Report
Colorado is making headway in developing policies to address the continuing opioid epidemic. Several recommendations in the AMA’s report are specific to Medicaid. Recommendations include ideas about expansion of MOUD/SUD treatment services and harm reduction, many of which we have identified and addressed in policy and practice. The AMA has several additional resources on the End the Epidemic webpage that provide more detail on current research and national trends.

Peers Services
The Department is committed to supporting the work of peers across a number of settings and within many organizations including Recovery Support Service Organizations (RSSOs). Visit our new Peer Services webpage to learn more about how peers are participating in the SUD space. 

New RSSO License
The BHA launched a new license type for organizations that offer peer recovery support. Information and instructions about how to apply for a license as an organization is now available.  

ARPA webpage/grants
There are a number of grants designed for providers to expand services available to members with a variety of needs including some opportunities to expand services to members who may have an SUD diagnosis. Find out more about wrap-around peer services in the supported housing space.
Take Note

Uniform Services Coding Standards Manual Update
The latest Uniform Services Coding Standards (USCS) Manual was posted on Oct. 1, 2022. The USCS manual is a living document that is updated periodically to maintain consistency between the BH RAE contracts, the OBH Contract, the State Plan Amendments, the 1915(b)(3) waiver, and coding guidelines. This document sets forth the requirements of billing procedure codes for behavioral health services covered by the Department and the BHA.

SUD Utilization Management Quarterly Report
As part of legislative reporting requirements for Senate Bill 21-137, the Substance Use Disorder Utilization Management Quarterly Report was posted on Oct. 1, 2022. This report was developed to publicly report progress and statewide data trends regarding the recently implemented residential SUD treatment benefit.
Debunking Myths & Misinformation 

Did you know… 
SUD providers are not required to provide Cost Reports to Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program).
Quarterly Provider Forum

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, ask questions and raise concerns. Suggestions for presentations and topics are accepted by email submission to [email protected]. 

The forum is virtual and requires participants to register to attend. Meetings are quarterly and held on the first Wednesday of the month from 2 - 3 p.m. You may register for any or all of the meetings to be held in 2023 using this Zoom registration page.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request for persons with disabilities. Please notify the Department 504/ADA Coordinator, Emelie Esquivel, at [email protected] at least one week before the meeting to make arrangements.