What's New

Upcoming Changes in SUD Provider Types 

By July 1, 2024, House Bill 22-1278 requires the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to establish a comprehensive behavioral health safety net system. HCPF is working to respond and align with the new categories, criteria, and infrastructure for the safety net system as detailed in BHA rules. This may require providers to meet new BHA licensing requirements and also complete/update their HCPF enrollment. 

As part of this work, HCPF is creating new provider types — Comprehensive and Essential Safety Net Providers. In this new model, Comprehensive Safety Net Providers are required to deliver outpatient SUD services and Essential Safety Net Providers may deliver SUD services. To learn more about the specific requirements and services visit the Safety Net Provider Webpage. Any SUD provider who wants to become an Essential Safety Net Provider will have the opportunity to do so.  

Provider Type 64 will no longer be referred to as SUD Clinic; it will be called SUD Continuum. HCPF is also creating additional outpatient specialty types under PT 64. These changes will be discussed during the upcoming Quarterly SUD Provider Forum in January. Please register for the meeting beforehand.

Take Note

Sign up for 2024 Quarterly SUD Provider Forums 

The Quarterly SUD Provider Forum is hosted on Zoom and requires participants to register to attend. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. 

The next meeting will be held Jan. 3, 2024, from 2 to 3 p.m. Zoom Registration 

Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request for persons with disabilities. Please notify the HCPF 504/ADA Coordinator, Emelie Esquivel, at hcpf504ada@state.co.us at least one week before the meeting to make arrangements.

December HCPF SUD Office Hours  

HCPF will host monthly office hours on the first Wednesday of the month (when there is no Provider Forum) to answer questions from providers regarding the SUD benefit. 

Upcoming Office Hours: 

• Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. 

Register if you have a question we can help you answer. 

Sign up for other HCPF newsletters

Some additional provider resources you may be interested in include: 

• Provider Association Newsletter 
• Maternal Opioid Misuse Model Grant 
• Accountable Care Collaborative Program Updates 

Debunking Myths & Misinformation About Health First Colorado

Did you know… Peers can deliver services within more than 40 behavioral health codes. This includes team based, residential services that may have Peer Specialists on staff, providing services in a milieu setting. 



Learn more in the State Behavioral Health Services Billing Manual by looking at the righthand side of the code where Service Provider is listed. Also, find answers to other frequently asked questions on our Peer Services website. 

Other Things Happening in the SUD Space

Carfentanil Resurfaces in the US 

Carfentanil, a lethal fentanyl analogue, is increasingly being detected in states from coast to coast and may have significant implications for overdose outbreaks. Learn more. Recommendations for providers include: 

• Confirm your clinic tests for fentanyl and also tests for another analogs like carfentanil 
• Consider how this risk and potential positive UDS results would inform both staff and patients to reduce risk of harm 
• Reach out to the lab you contract with to learn more about panel options 

New Funding Opportunity for OTP Medication Units 

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Overdose Prevention Program is pleased to announce the availability of funds to enhance evidence-based opioid overdose prevention programming and evidence-informed interventions that have an immediate impact on reducing overdose morbidity and mortality, with a focus on opioids, stimulants, and polysubstance use. 

CDPHE Overdose Data to Action RFA #42329

Applications due Dec. 15 at 5 p.m.