Now Available: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About New SUD Benefit Expansion

A list of FAQs regarding the Department's SUD benefit expansion is now available. Providers can view or download a PDF of the FAQ online for information regarding the waiver and new SUD benefits.

Update on American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Training for Providers

In previous Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Updates, treatment providers were encouraged to acquaint, or reacquaint, their staff with ASAM criteria, which will be utilized as the basis for the management of SUD benefits covered by Health First Colorado. As of this month, 260 individuals registered for the ASAM training. About one-half of registrants have completed the first training component. Components #2 and 3 will be offered in June. The Department gratefully acknowledges the cooperation and assistance from the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health and Signal Behavioral Health Network in making this free, one-time ASAM training available to providers.

Program staff continue to collaborate with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) on the SUD waiver Implementation Plan. The Department submitted the draft Implementation Plan per CMS requirements and is currently awaiting additional guidance on the document from CMS. Program staff are also focusing efforts on creating and developing other waiver application components, such as the Health IT Plan and Monitoring Protocol.

The Department and Capacity Expansion Plan Work Group is concluding its analysis of SUD treatment provider capacity across the state. In addition, plans for expanding capacity where needed are in development. This plan will highlight how available resources can be utilized to support and incentivize expansion where needed. While expansion of the provider network will be necessary to meet the expected demand for SUD services, the workgroup acknowledges that the current COVID-19 crisis presents a number of challenges to that process. The Department continues to assess the changing landscape for treatment providers.