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Home and Community-Based Services Billing Manual: Children's Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS), Children with Life Limiting Illness (CLLI)

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Waiver programs provide additional Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) benefits to specific populations who meet special eligibility criteria.

Level of care determinations are made annually by Case Management Agencies contracted by the Department to provide case management for eligible and enrolled Health First Colorado Members. Eligible Members must meet financial, medical and program criteria to access services under a waiver. The applicant must be at risk of transition to a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), hospital or Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICF/IID). In order to access waiver benefits, Members must be willing to receive services in their homes or communities. A Member who receives services through a waiver is also eligible for all basic Health First Colorado-covered services except nursing facility and long-term hospital care. When a Member chooses to receive services under a waiver, the services must be provided by certified Health First Colorado Providers or by a Health First Colorado contracting Managed Care Organization (MCO).

Applicants may apply for more than one waiver but may only receive services through one waiver at a time.

Effective June 30, 2024, the service “Case Management” was deactivated and removed from the waiver. From July 1, 2024, forward, eligible and enrolled CHCBS Members will receive the Targeted Case Management benefit as provided by one of the Department’s contracted Case Management Agencies.

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Case Management Agency Responsibilities

Contracted Case Management Agencies are delegated administrative authority over HCBS waivers.

Contracted Case Management Agencies responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Informing Members and/or legal guardians of the eligibility process.
  • Submitting required enrollment information to the County Department of Human/Social Services for a Health First Colorado Member identification number.
  • Developing the appropriate Prior Approval and/or Cost Containment Record Form of services and projected costs for approval.
  • Submitting a copy of the Prior Authorization and/or Cost Containment document to the authorizing agent. Refer to Appendix D located on the Billing Manuals web page under the Appendices drop-down for a list of authorizing agents.
  • Assessing the Member's health and social needs.
  • Arranging for face-to-face contact with the Member.
  • Monitoring and evaluating services.
  • Reassessing each Member annually or upon a change in condition.

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Claim Submission

Submission of claims for services rendered must not be duplicative. Provider Agencies cannot be reimbursed for delivering the same service to the same Member on the same day at the same time; whether such services are billed on the same claim, or on multiple/different claims. Additionally, Provider Agencies are barred from billing services that share or have overlapping service definitions, but are described by different procedure codes, on the same day, to the same Member. Collectively referred to as duplicate claims, reimbursement for such claims requires clear documentation of the necessity of the service, and that there was not duplicative service delivery.

Refer to the service definitions on the Colorado Code of Regulations website to identify if claims are duplicative. Refer to the provider specialty code enrollment requirements on the HCBS Provider Specialty Code List web page to identify services that must be provided by an individual provider. Provider Agencies may only bill for services approved in the Members’ service plans.

In any instance in which duplicate billings result in Medicaid reimbursement, a recovery shall be made by the Department against the Provider Agency.

Refer to the General Provider Information Manual located on the Billing Manuals web page under the General Provider Information drop-down for general billing information, including claim submission information.

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Prior Authorization Requests (PARs)

Unless otherwise noted, all HCBS services require prior approval before they can be reimbursed by Health First Colorado. Contracted Case Management Agencies complete the Prior Approval and/or Cost Containment requests for their specific programs according to instructions published in the regulations for the Department.

Providers may contact the Contracted Case Management Agency for the status of the PAR or inquire electronically through the Health First Colorado Provider Web Portal.

Approval of prior authorization does not guarantee Health First Colorado payment and does not serve as a timely filing waiver. Prior authorization only assures that the approved service is a medical necessity and is considered a benefit of Health First Colorado. All claims, including those for prior authorized services, must meet eligibility and claim submission requirements (e.g., timely filing, provider information completed appropriately, required attachments included, etc.) before payment can be made. Provider Agencies are reminded to check Member eligibility prior to rendering services.

Prior approvals must be completed thoroughly and accurately. If an error is noted on an approved request, it should be brought to the attention of the Member's Case Manager for corrections. Procedure codes, quantities, etc., may be changed or entered by the Member's Case Manager.

The authorizing agent or Contracted Case Management Agency is responsible for timely submission and distribution of copies of approvals to Provider Agencies and providers contracted to provide services.

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PAR Submission

The following PAR (CHCBS and CLLI) forms are filed via the "Bridge" by Case Managers employed by Contracted Case Management Agencies. The Bridge directly interfaces with the Colorado interChange. The Bridge is accessed by Case Management Agencies via the Medicaid Enterprise User Provisioning System (MEUPS). Provider Agencies are not authorized to access the Bridge but may view PARs in the Provider Portal.

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PAR Form Instructional Reference Table

Field LabelCompletion FormatInstructions
PA Number being revised Conditional
Complete if PAR is a revision. Indicate original PAR number assigned.
RevisionCheckbox
Yes/No
Required
Check the appropriate box.
Client NameTextRequired
Enter the Member's last name, first name and middle initial.
Example: Adams, Mary A.
Client ID7 characters, a letter prefix followed by six numbersRequired
Enter the Member's state identification number. This number consists of a letter prefix followed by six numbers.
Example: A123456
SexCheckbox
M F
Required
Check the appropriate box.
Birthdate6 numbers
(MM/DD/YY)
Required
Enter the Member's birth date using MM/DD/YY format.
Example: January 1, 2015 = 01/01/15.
Requesting Provider #8 numbersRequired
Enter the eight-digit Health First Colorado provider number of the requesting provider.
Client's CountyTextRequired
Enter the Member's county of residence
Case Number (Agency Use)TextOptional
Enter up to 12 characters, (numbers, letters, hyphens) which helps identify the claim or Member.
Dates Covered
(From/Through)
6 numbers for from date and 6 numbers for through date
(MM/DD/YY)
Required
Enter PAR start date and PAR end date.
Services DescriptionTextNot required
List of approved procedure codes for qualified and demonstration services.
ProviderTextOptional
Enter up to 12 characters to identify provider.
Modifier2 LettersRequired
The alphanumeric values in this column are standard and static and cannot be changed.
Max # UnitsNumberRequired
Enter the number of units next to the services being requested for reimbursement.
Cost Per UnitDollar AmountRequired
Enter cost per unit of service.
Total $ AuthorizedDollar AmountRequired
The dollar amount authorized for this service automatically populates.
CommentsTextOptional
Enter any additional useful information. For example, if a service is authorized for different dates than in "Dates Covered" field, please include the HCPCS procedure code and date span here.
Total Authorized HCBS ExpendituresDollar AmountRequired
Total automatically populates.
Number of Days CoveredNumberRequired
The number of days covered automatically populates.
Average Cost Per DayDollar AmountRequired
The Member's maximum authorized cost divided by number of days in the care plan period automatically populates.
Immediately prior to HCBS enrollment, this client lived in one of the following facility typesCheck box
Nursing facility Hospital
Required for CHCBS only.
Check the appropriate box.
Case Manager NameTextRequired
Enter the name of the Case Manager.
Case Manager SignatureTextRequired
Enter the name of the Case Manager's Supervisor.
AgencyTextRequired
Enter the name of the Case Management Agency.
Phone #10 Numbers
123-456-7890
Required
Enter the phone number of the Case Manager.
EmailTextRequired
Enter the email address of the Case Manager.
Date6 Numbers
(MM/DD/YY)
Required
Enter the date of PAR completion.

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Denver Regional Pricing

Certain HCBS delivered to members while they are within the City and County of Denver are eligible for higher rates.  Information relative to these services, and guidance on the applicability of these rates to certain services, can be found in the Denver Minimum Wage Pricing Appendix, on the Department’s billing manual page under “HCBS”.

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Children's Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS)

The Children's Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS) waiver program is for medically fragile children who are at risk of institutionalization in a hospital or skilled nursing facility and would not otherwise qualify for Health First Colorado services due to parental income and/or resources. All state plan Health First Colorado benefits are provided to children birth through age 17. The children must meet the established minimum criteria for hospital or skilled nursing facility level of care. Members that meet program eligibility requirements receive an annual long-term care certification by their Contracted Case Management Agency Case Manager.

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CHCBS Procedure Code Table

Provider Agencies may bill the following procedure codes for HCBS-CHCBS services.

 

In-Home Support Services (IHSS)

IHSS within the CHCBS waiver is limited to health maintenance activities, which include support for activities of daily living. Additionally, IHSS providers must provide core independent living skills.

Specialty 656: HCBS-CHCBS Procedure Code Table
In-Home Support (HCBS-IHSS)
DescriptionProcedure Code + ModifiersUnits
Health Maintenance Activities – Outside Denver CountyH0038U51 unit = 15 minutes

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Wellness Education Benefit (WEB)

The WEB is designed to reduce the need for a higher level of care by offering educational materials that provide Members and their families with actionable tools that can be used to prevent the progression of a disability, increase community engagement, combat isolation and improve awareness of Health First Colorado services.

Specialty 683: HCBS-CHCBS Procedure Code Table
Wellness Education Benefit (WEB)
DescriptionProcedure Code + ModifiersUnits
Wellness Education Benefit98960U51 unit per month

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Home and Community-Based Services for Children with Life Limiting Illness (CLLI)

The Home and Community-Based Services for Children with Life Limiting Illness (CLLI) Waiver is for children from birth through age 18 with a medical diagnosis of a life-limiting illness who meet the institutional level of care for inpatient hospitalization. Level of care determinations are conducted annually by Contracted Case Management Agencies. Services include Bereavement Counseling, Expressive Therapy (Art, Play and Music), Massage Therapy, Palliative/Supportive Care (Care Coordination and Pain and Symptom Management), Respite Care, and Therapeutic Life Limiting Illness Support Services. Members that are enrolled in the waiver also have access to all state plan Health First Colorado benefits, including curative care. There is no requirement for a nine-month terminal prognosis.

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HCBS-CLLI Procedure Code Table

Provider Agencies may bill the following procedure codes for HCBS-CLLI services:

HCBS-CLLI Procedure Code Table
DescriptionProcedure Code + ModifiersPlace of ServiceUnits
Specialty 645: Expressive Therapy-Art/Play
Art and Play TherapyH2032UD, HA11 - Office
12 - Home
1 unit = 15 minutes
Art and Play Therapy - GroupH2032UD, HA, HQ11 - Office
12 - Home
1 unit = 15 minutes
Specialty 646: Expressive Therapy- Music Therapy
Music TherapyH2032UD11 - Office
12 - Home
1 unit = 15 minutes
Music Therapy - GroupH2032UD, HQ11 - Office
12 - Home
1 unit = 15 minutes
Specialty 613: Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy97124UD11 - Office
12 - Home
1 unit = 15 minutes
Specialty 614: Palliative/Supportive Care
Care CoordinationG9012UD11 - Office
12 - Home
1 unit = 15 minutes
Pain and Symptom ManagementS9123UD11 - Office
12 - Home
34 - Hospice
1 unit = 1 hour
Specialty 616: Respite (Unskilled)
Respite Care - Unskilled (4 hours or less) - Outside Denver CountyS5150UD12 - Home1 unit = 15 minutes
Respite Care - Unskilled (4 hours or more) - Outside Denver CountyS5151UD12 - Home1 unit = 1 day
Respite Care – Camp (Group, Overnight) - Outside Denver CountyT2037UD 1 unit = 1 day
Specialty 615: Respite (Skilled)
Respite Care - CNA (4 hours or less) T1005UD12 - Home1 unit = 15 minutes
Respite Care - CNA (4 hours or more)S9125UD12 - Home1 unit = 1 day
Respite Care - Skilled RN, LPN (4 hours or less) T1005UD, TD12 - Home1 unit = 15 minutes
Respite Care - Skilled RN, LPN (4 hours or more) S9125UD, TD12 - Home1 unit = 1 day
Specialty 617: Therapy and Counseling
Bereavement CounselingS0257UD, HK11 - Office
12 - Home
1 unit = lump sum
Therapeutic Life Limiting Illness Support - IndividualS0257UD11 - Office
12 - Home
1 unit = 15 minutes
Therapeutic Life Limiting Illness Support - FamilyS0257UD, HR11 - Office
12 - Home
1 unit = 15 minutes
Therapeutic Life Limiting Illness Support - GroupS0257UD, HQ11 - Office
12 - Home
1 unit = 15 minutes

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Service Limitations

Reimbursement for HCBS-CLLI Therapeutic Life Limiting Illness Support services (S0257 with any "UD" modifier) shall be limited to 98 hours per annual certification. Reimbursement for HCBS-CLLI respite care services (T1005, S9125, S5150 and S5151) shall be limited to 30 days (unique dates of service) per annual certification. Reimbursement for HCBS-CLLI respite care services (T1005, S9125, S5150 and S5151) shall not be duplicated at the same time of service as state plan Home Health or Palliative/Supportive Care services (S9123) and shall be denied. Expressive Therapy (H2032 - Art, Play and Music) is limited to 39 hours per annual certification. Massage Therapy (97124) is limited to 24 hours per annual certification.

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Paper Claim Reference Table

The following paper form reference table gives required and/or conditional fields for the paper CMS 1500 claim form for HCBS-CHCBS and CLLI claims:

CMS Field Number and LabelField is?Instructions
1. Insurance TypeRequiredPlace an "X" in the box marked as Medicaid.
1a. Insured's ID NumberRequiredEnter the Member's Health First Colorado seven-digit ID number as it appears on the Health First Colorado Identification card. Example: A123456.
2. Patient's NameRequiredEnter the Member's last name, first name, and middle initial.
3. Patient's Date of Birth/SexRequiredEnter the Member's birth date using two digits for the month, two digits for the date, and two digits for the year. Example: 070114 for July 1, 2014.

Place an "X" in the appropriate box to indicate the sex of the Member.
4. Insured's NameNot required 
5. Patient's AddressNot Required 
6. Client Relationship to InsuredNot Required 
7. Insured's AddressNot Required 
8. Reserved for NUCC UseNot Required 
9. Other Insured's NameNot Required 
9a. Other Insured's Policy or Group NumberNot Required 
9b. Reserved for NUCC Use  
9c. Reserved for NUCC Use  
9d. Insurance Plan or Program NameNot Required 
10a-c. Is patient's condition related to?Not Required 
10d. Reserved for Local Use  
11. Insured's Policy, Group or FECA NumberNot Required 
11a. Insured's Date of Birth, SexNot Required 
11b. Other Claim IDNot Required 
11c. Insurance Plan Name or Program NameNot Required 
11d. Is there another Health Benefit Plan?Not Required 
12. Patient's or Authorized Person's signatureRequiredEnter "Signature on File", "SOF", or legal signature. If there is no signature on file, leave blank or enter "No Signature on File".

Enter the date the claim form was signed.
13. Insured's or Authorized Person's SignatureNot Required 
14. Date of Current Illness Injury or PregnancyNot Required 
15. Other DateNot Required 
16. Date Patient Unable to Work in Current OccupationNot Required 
17. Name of Referring PhysicianConditional 
18. Hospitalization Dates Related to Current ServiceNot Required 
19. Additional Claim InformationConditional 
20. Outside Lab?
$ Charges
Not Required 
21. Diagnosis or Nature of Illness or InjuryRequiredEnter at least one but no more than twelve diagnosis codes based on the Member's diagnosis/condition.

Enter applicable ICD-10 indicator.

HCBS
CHCBS and CLLI may use R69
22. Medicaid Resubmission CodeConditionalList the original reference number for resubmitted claims.

When resubmitting a claim, enter the appropriate bill frequency code in the left- hand side of the field.
7 - Replacement of prior claim
8 - Void/Cancel of prior claim
This field is not intended for use for original claim submissions.
23. Prior AuthorizationNot RequiredHCBS
Leave blank
24. Claim Line DetailInformationThe paper claim form allows entry of up to six detailed billing lines. Fields 24A through 24J apply to each billed line.

Do not enter more than six lines of information on the paper claim. If more than six lines of information are entered, the additional lines will not be entered for processing.

Each claim form must be fully completed (totaled).

Do not file continuation claims (e.g., Page 1 of 2).
24A. Dates of ServiceRequired

The field accommodates the entry of two dates: a "From" date of services and a "To" date of service. Enter the date of service using two digits for the month, two digits for the date and two digits for the year. Example: 010116 for January 1, 2016.

FromTo
010119   

or

FromTo
010119010119

Span dates of service

FromTo
010119013119

Practitioner claims must be consecutive days.
Single Date of Service: Enter the six-digit date of service in the "From" field. Completion of the "To" field is not required. Do not spread the date entry across the two fields.

Span billing: permissible if the same service (same procedure code) is provided on consecutive dates.

24B. Place of ServiceRequired

Enter the Place of Service (POS) code that describes the location where services were rendered. Health First Colorado accepts the CMS place of service codes.

03School
11Office
12Home
34Hospice
24C. EMGNot Required 
24D. Procedures, Services, or SuppliesRequiredEnter the HCPCS procedure code that specifically describes the service for which payment is requested.

HCBS
Refer to the CHCBS or CLLI procedure code tables.
24D. ModifierRequiredEnter the appropriate procedure-related modifier that applies to the billed service. Up to four modifiers may be entered when using the paper claim form.
Refer to the CHCBS or CLLI procedure code tables.
24E. Diagnosis PointerRequiredEnter the diagnosis code reference letter (A-L) that relates the date of service and the procedures performed to the primary diagnosis.

At least one diagnosis code reference letter must be entered.

When multiple services are performed, the primary reference letter for each service should be listed first, other applicable services should follow.

This field allows for the entry of 4 characters in the unshaded area.
24F. $ ChargesRequiredEnter the usual and customary charge for the service represented by the procedure code on the detail line. Do not use commas when reporting dollar amounts. Enter 00 in the cents area if the amount is a whole number.

Some CPT procedure codes are grouped with other related CPT procedure codes. When more than one procedure from the same group is billed, special multiple pricing rules apply.

The base procedure is the procedure with the highest allowable amount. The base code is used to determine the allowable amounts for additional CPT surgical procedures when more than one procedure from the same grouping is performed.

Submitted charges cannot be more than charges made to non-Health First Colorado-covered individuals for the same service.

Do not deduct Health First Colorado co-pay or commercial insurance payments from the usual and customary charges.
24G. Days or UnitsRequiredEnter the number of services provided for each procedure code.

Enter whole numbers only- do not enter fractions or decimals.
24G. Days or UnitsGeneral InstructionsA unit represents the number of times the described procedure or service was rendered.

Except as instructed in this manual or in Health First Colorado bulletins, the billed unit must correspond to procedure code descriptions. The following examples show the relationship between the procedure description and the entry of units.

Home and Community-Based Services
Combine units of services for a single procedure code for the billed time period on one detail line. Dates of service do not have to be reported separately. Example: If forty units of personal care services were provided on various days throughout the month of January, bill the personal care procedure code with a From Date of 01/03/XX and a To Date of 01/31/XX and 40 units.
24H. EPSDT/Family PlanNot RequiredEPSDT shaded area)
Not Required
Family Planning (unshaded area)
Not Required
24I. ID QualifierNot Required 
24J. Rendering Provider ID #RequiredIn the shaded portion of the field, enter the NPI of the Health First Colorado provider number assigned to the individual who actually performed or rendered the billed service. This number cannot be assigned to a group or clinic.
25. Federal Tax ID NumberNot Required 
26. Patient's Account NumberOptionalEnter information that identifies the Member or claim in the Provider Agency's billing system. Submitted information appears on the Remittance Advice (RA).
27. Accept Assignment?RequiredThe accept assignment indicates that the Provider Agency agrees to accept assignment under the terms of the payer's program.
28. Total ChargeRequiredEnter the sum of all charges listed in field 24F. Do not use commas when reporting dollar amounts. Enter 00 in the cents area if the amount is a whole number.
29. Amount PaidNot Required 
30. Rsvd for NUCC Use  
31. Signature of Physician or Supplier Including Degrees or CredentialsRequiredEach claim must bear the signature of the enrolled Provider Agency or the signature of a registered authorized agent.

Each claim must have the date the enrolled Provider Agency or registered authorized agent signed the claim form. Enter the date the claim was signed using two digits for the month, two digits for the date and two digits for the year. Example: 070124 for July 1, 2024.
32. 32- Service Facility Location Information
32a- NPI Number
32b- Other ID #
ConditionalEnter the name, address and ZIP code of the individual or business where the Member was seen or service was performed in the following format:
1st Line Name
2nd Line Address
3rd Line City, State and ZIP Code
If the Provider Type is not able to obtain an NPI, enter the eight-digit Health First Colorado provider number of the individual or organization.
33. Billing Provider
Info & Ph #
RequiredEnter the name of the individual or organization that will receive payment for the billed services in the following format:
1st Line Name
2nd Line Address
3rd Line City, State and ZIP Code
33a- NPI NumberRequired 
33b- Other ID # If the Provider Type is not able to obtain an NPI, enter the eight-digit Health First Colorado provider number of the individual or organization.

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CMS 1500 CHCBS Claim Example

CMS 1500 HCBS-CHCBS Claim Example

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CMS 1500 HCBS-CLLI Claim Example

CMS 1500 HCBS-CLLI Claim Example

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Timely Filing

Refer to the General Provider Information Manual located on the Billing Manuals web page under the General Provider Information drop-down for more information on timely filing policy, including the resubmission rules for denied claims.

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HCBS-CHCBS and CLLI Specialty Manuals Revisions Log

Revision DateAddition/ChangesMade by
12/1/2016Manual revised for interChange implementation. For manual revisions prior to 12/01/2016, please refer to Archive.HPE (now DXC)
12/27/2016Updates based on Colorado iC Stage II Provider Billing Manuals Comment Log v0_2.xlsxHPE (now DXC)
1/10/2017Updates based on Colorado iC Stage II Provider Billing Manual Comment Log v0_3.xlsxHPE (now DXC)
1/19/2017Updates based on Colorado iC Stage II Provider Billing Manual Comment Log v0_4.xlsxHPE (now DXC)
1/26/2017Updates based on Department 1/20/2017 approval emailHPE (now DXC)
2/10/2017Removed all references to Special Program CodesHCPF
3/13/2017Changed Modifier code from UL to U2HCPF
5/26/2017Updates based on Fiscal Agent name change from HPE to DXCDXC
6/15/2018Updated timely filing information and removed references to LBOD, removed general billing information already available in the General Provider Information manualDXC
6/27/2018Updated ToC, minor edits, added link to general manual for claim submission info, updated Timely FilingHCPF
12/20/2018Clarification to signature requirementsHCPF
3/18/2019Clarification to signature requirementsHCPF
7/2/2019Updated Appendices' links and verbiageDXC
3/9/2020Converted to web page, removed CWA sections as waiver discontinued 7/2018HCPF
3/24/2020Removed CWA references other than stating when the program was discontinued, removed outdated images.HCPF
9/14/2020Added Line to Box 32 under the Paper Claim Reference TableHCPF
10/31/2022Added Specialty NumberHCPF
4/3/2023Updated AWS URL LinksHCPF
4/25/2024Added new Denver County codes, CHCBS WEB service, and completed correctionsHCPF
6/22/2024Removed case management services pursuant to Case Management Redesign.HCPF
7/19/2024Added duplicative claim language to Claims SubmissionHCPF
12/19/24Updated codes, added reference to Denver Regional Pricing Appendix.HCPF

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