Ensuring Full Continuum SUD Benefits

Substance Use Disorder Services

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (the Department) is committed to better health outcomes for the whole person by offering a full range of healthcare services for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) members. Health First Colorado members get physical health and dental services and are also eligible for behavioral health services, which include substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Behavioral health services including SUD treatment are available to all members without the need for a referral or copay. Health First Colorado members can find SUD benefit information in the member handbook. Providers looking for more information about offering SUD services can go to the SUD provider page.

The current SUD benefit ensures a full continuum of care as outlined by The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). ASAM establishes guidelines for what services are available at each level of care. It’s also a uniformed approach to identifying the most appropriate level of care for a member based on their individual needs. The ASAM criteria is a nationally recognized, evidence-based system that guides clinicians with matching patient needs to specific levels of care.

Colorado uses ASAM Criteria to determine Level of Care placement for members. Office of Behavioral Health provider licensing rules align with the ASAM criteria descriptions of each level of care.