Jan. 31, 2023
This newsletter provides 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. Share this newsletter with your colleagues. Previous editions are on the SUD webpage: Ensuring Full Continuum SUD Benefits. Your feedback, ideas and questions are welcome and can be shared with us at hcpf_sudbenefits@state.co.us 
We Want to Hear from You

The Department hosts a monthly forum for providers to ask questions, voice concerns, and get clarity about SUD services covered by Health First Colorado. Recently, there's been low attendance and limited engagement, so the SUD team wants to find out: 

  • Should the Department host monthly Office Hours for open consultation? 
  • Should the Department partner with the Behavioral Health Administration to offer a quarterly forum to include presentations on trending SUD topics and issues?

We'd like to know. Please send your thoughts on these options or any additional suggestions to hcpf_sudbenefits@state.co.us 
Marking a Milestone

Colorado’s 1115 Demonstration, “Expanding the Substance Use Disorder Continuum of Care,” is now in year three of the five-year performance period. This year, the Department will complete an interim evaluation beyond submitting quarterly and annual reports to CMS. Find out more about this important demonstration by visiting the CO SUD Special Terms and Conditions document.
SUD Space Side Notes

The Attorney General's Office held a Fentanyl Town Hall earlier this month. These ongoing Opioid Abatement Council meetings are public and information is available on the website. Visit the Opioid Response Webpage to find out more about how Colorado is addressing opioid crisis.
 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is working to better align SUD privacy protections with HIPAA protections while modernizing this SUD rule. Review the proposed updates and check out the FAQs about the impact of these proposed changes. You can also review and comment on the proposed rules changes in the public register no later than Feb. 14.