Substance Use Disorder Stakeholder Newsletter

Substance Use Disorder Stakeholder Newsletter

January 9, 2020

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SUD Stakeholder Webpage

CMS guidance

Concept Paper

This newsletter provides updates from the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (the Department) on implementation of House Bill (HB) 18-1136. This newsletter is distributed periodically during the benefit development process .

For more information about Substance Use Disorder (SUD) benefits, please email our team.

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Federal Approval Process Underway: Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Waiver Application

The Department is actively engaged with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding comments received during the 30-day federal public comment period regarding the State's Section 1115 waiver application. The Department anticipates continued conversation with CMS about the contents of the application during the month of January.

Federal Approval Process Underway: State Plan Amendments

The Department is also required to amend the State Plan to include residential and inpatient SUD treatment and withdrawal management services. The Department has engaged the CMS regional office to begin that review and approval process. The Department is drafting the amendments and anticipates submitting drafts to CMS in January 2020. Tribal notice of the state plan changes occurred on December 13, 2019.

Interchange System Changes

The Department has drafted billing rules which were presented to the Coding Committee on November 14, 2019 for feedback. The billing rules have been developed into policy that is informing the design of changes to the claims processing system. The Department continues to move the system changes forward that will be necessary for billing of the new SUD residential and inpatient services.

Regional Stakeholder Meetings

The Department continues its series of regional stakeholder meetings in January and February 2020. At these public meetings, the Department will be presenting information on SUD treatment capacity and hearing from community members about the needs in that local area. The regional meetings serve as opportunities for the public to provide input and ask questions about the implementation of coverage for residential and inpatient SUD treatment and withdrawal management services. Treatment providers, local government officials, partner agencies, and interested members of the public are invited to attend. A call-in option will be available for some of the meetings. Please see information on the Department's SUD webpage to register for the meeting of your choice.

Coming Soon: Information on ASAM Criteria Training

The Department thanks all treatment providers who responded to the announcement of American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria training. Providers expressed strong interest in the training and many made requests for additional training spots. The training is being coordinated by Signal Behavioral Health Network and additional information about registration will be provided soon. Please contact Heather Dolan if you have questions regarding the ASAM trainings.

Nondiscrimination Policy

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing complies with applicable federal and state civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, creed, political beliefs, or disability. Learn more about our Nondiscrimination Policy.

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-221-3943 (State Relay: 711).

CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-800-221-3943 (State Relay: 711).

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