What's New

MPRRAC Review of Fee-for-Service BH SUD Services 

Fee-for-service Behavioral Health Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services (H0001, H0004, H0005, H0006, H0010, S9445, and H0020) are scheduled to be reviewed under the MPPRAC process in 2024. For background, the MPRRAC (Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee) is a committee of community professionals that oversee the process for reviewing rates of Medicaid services. HCPF works alongside the MPRRAC to review the sufficiency of fee-for-service provider reimbursement rates to ensure adequate access to services is available in compliance with regulatory guidelines. Each service is reviewed every three years, and it is time for Fee-for-service Behavioral Health SUD codes to be reviewed. 

Stakeholder feedback is critical to the review process. All meeting information is posted on our website. 

Visit our website for more information about Behavioral Health Fee-for-Service (FFS) Benefits.  

Take Note

Mental Health Parity Request for Public Comment 

HCPF has begun work on the annual Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) Report to assess the compliance of the Medicaid benefit with mental health parity laws. HCPF is gathering stakeholder thoughts and experiences related to mental health parity. These insights will be used to design the mental health parity analyses and inform an annual report. 

Individuals interested in submitting written comments can do so using this form. The form will be open until March 15. The purpose is to collect feedback from stakeholders; HCPF will not be responding to submitted comments.  

For more information, visit the Parity Webpage.  

HCPF Criminal Justice Collaborative – Apply Now 

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is seeking applicants for the HCPF Criminal Justice Collaborative. The Collaborative will ensure robust stakeholder participation to provide ongoing feedback in the development of criminal justice projects including: ARPA 8.10 - Criminal Justice Partnerships, Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) 5121 - Juvenile Justice Transition Support, and the 1115 Re-entry Waiver.  

HCPF is seeking behavioral health & MAT provider representation in the Collaborative as justice-involved members present with SUD at a higher rate than the general population. The Collaborative will meet monthly beginning in February to provide feedback on presentations, reports, and work products. If interested, complete the application by Feb. 9.  

Please reach out to Hannah Hall with any questions, comments, or concerns. 

Debunking Myths & Misinformation About Health First Colorado

Did you know…

In accordance with Part 2.12.3 of the BHA Provider Rules, a Comprehensive Assessment “must occur, at minimum, every six (6) months, unless otherwise indicated in an endorsement chapter.” This means that a biopsychosocial assessment (BPS) may be obtained from a referring provider through an ROI, as long as it was administered within the past six (6) months.  

Other Things Happening in the SUD Space

New RAND Corporation Study Shows Rise in Child Suicide in the U.S. Linked in Part to the Nation's Opioid Crisis 

According to David Powell, the study's lead author and a senior economist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization, “The results are consistent with the growth in illicit opioid use among the adult population generating worsening conditions for children by increasing rates of child neglect.” An overview of the study is on the RAND website, in addition to the full article. 

ASAM Public Comment on Adolescent Framework Open Until Feb. 2 

ASAM is seeking input from diverse stakeholders on the framework for the Adolescent and Transition Age Youth Volume of the 4th Edition of The ASAM Criteria. Feedback received during the public comment period will be instrumental in refining the framework which will be used to guide development of the comprehensive standards and decision rules of the Adolescent and Transition Age Youth Volume. Feedback must be submitted through the online submission form in order to be considered.  

View the Proposed Framework for the Adolescent and Transition Age Youth Volume of the ASAM Criteria – 4th Edition.  

ASAM Stimulant Use Prevention and Harm Reduction Webinar  

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, from 2 to 3 p.m. MT 

This webinar presents current recommendations on stimulant use prevention and harm reduction from the ASAM/AAAP Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Stimulant Use Disorder. The webinar includes a discussion of a case scenario and a question-and-answer session. 



Register here.