Feb. 28, 2023
This newsletter provides information and updates from HCPF on House Bill (HB) 18-1136 and the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) benefit at Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program). 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 
What's New

Changes to SUD Stakeholder Updates 

Now that the SUD 1115 Demonstration Waiver has entered year three, we are working to integrate SUD benefits information and updates into other behavorial health spaces. Look for updates on SUD benefit issues to be included alongside other benefits information in places like Accountable Care Collaborative Updates, HCPF Provider Bulletin, and Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) mailings. We will continue to use this SUD stakeholder mailing list for special communications.  
 
We’d like your feedback: Is a monthly SUD Stakeholder Communication needed? Please email YES or NO to hcpf_sudbenefits@state.co.us  
 
Joint Peer Support Professionals Quarterly Forum  

HCPF will be joining the BHA to jointly host the second Peer Support Professional Forum on March 30 at 12 p.m. The meeting will be virtual to allow for the greatest participation from peer professionals across state including those who work in the SUD recovery space. You can register in advance for this meeting and you will then receive a confirmation email containing information about joining.  
Take Note

Changes to SUD Provider Forum  

Feedback from providers to question posed last month included, "Should SUD provider forum be jointly presented from BHA and HCPF?" A resounding response was, "Yes, collaborate." To that end, we will suspend the HCPF quarterly provider forum and will include information about how to register and send topics for a new Joint SUD Provider Forum as soon as a schedule is established. 
Debunking Myths & Misinformation About Medicaid

Did you know…Providers, who deliver SUD services and have a provisional license from the BHA, are able to enroll with Health First Colorado, contract with an MCE, and receive reimbursement for billable services.  
Other Things Happening in the SUD Space

Connect with Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention to learn more about educational offerings and advocacy opportunities. The Consortium remains active in providing grants, education and advocacy for Coloradans and Colorado Providers concerned with addiction to prescription drugs. The Consortium also works to evaluate data and review use trends in Colorado.  
 
The BHA has held a series of public meetings to discuss the new Ruleset. Additional tools, information and summaries, as well as recording of all meetings, are available and providers working in the SUD space are encouraged to review the New BHA Ruleset.