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.

Level of Care | Description |
---|---|
Prevention | .5 Early Intervention |
Level 1 | 1 Outpatient Services |
Level 2 |
2.1 Intensive Outpatient Services |
Level 3 |
3.1 Clinically Managed Low-Intensity Services |
Level 4 | 4 Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient Services |

Level of Care | Description |
---|---|
Prevention | .5 Early Intervention |
Level 1 | 1 Outpatient Services |
Level 2 |
2.1 Intensive Outpatient Services |
Level 3 |
3.1 Clinically Managed Low-Intensity Services |
Level 4 | 4 Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient Services |
Services ranging from screening and harm reduction to outpatient, intensive outpatient and medication-assisted treatment services to withdrawal management (also known as) "detox" to both residential and hospital inpatient services, are all available treatment options for members. Providers work to find the right level of care that meets the member’s specific needs.
SUD Residential Care in Colorado
Providers are included on the SUD Residential Services Map searchable by level of ASAM care or region, they meet the following criteria:
- Licensed to provide care at a specific ASAM level and
- Enrolled as Health First Providers at that ASAM level
- The Department maintains a full list of SUD providers enrolled in Health First Colorado and contracted with the MCEs.
In addition, the map includes information about which MCEs a provider is contracted with to provide services to members from that region.
Take Note/Learn More
ASAM Criteria 4th Edition
The first volume of the fourth edition of ASAM is now available digitally—updated and enhanced to reflect current research and clinical best practices that facilitate better, patient-centered care and improve outcomes for the millions of people diagnosed with substance use disorders each year. The print version will be released in December 2023. Follow this link to review a summary of major changes to the ASAM Criteria 4th Edition or visit the ASAM 4th Edition section of the ASAM website to learn more.
CMS 1115 Waiver Documents
- CO SUD Monitoring Protocol Approval Letter
- SUD Evaluation Design Approval Letter
- CO SUD Special Terms and Conditions
- Colorado SUD Implementation Plan Approval and CMS
- CMS Letter of Approval, Expenditure Authority, and the Special Terms and Conditions for 1115 SUD Demonstration Waiver
CMS 1115 Waiver Reports
- Annual Report for Demonstration Year 1
- Second Annual Stakeholder Forum Presentation
- Third Annual Stakeholder Forum Presentation
State Legislative Requirements and Reporting
SUD Utilization Management Reports produced in accordance with SB 21-137 for demonstration years 1 and 2 of the SUD of the expanded SUD benefit have been archived. Please contact the SUD benefit team by SUD benefits email if you need a copy of the reports from demonstration years 1 and 2.
SUD Utilization Management Report Demonstration Year 3 Quarter 1
Resources
- Colorado Crisis Services
- Primary Prevention | Overdose Prevention Strategy
- US Department of Health and Human Services Overdose Prevention Strategy | ASPE
- Colorado Department of Law Opioid Crisis Response Project
- Learn More About The Recovery Cards Project
- Find Behavioral Health Help
- SUD Newsletter Library
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- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- October/November 2021
- August/September 2021
- June/July 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
Archives
- SUD Residential and Inpatient Benefit Overview
- SUD Residential and Inpatient Benefit FAQs
- SUD Residential Expansion FAQs (July 2020)
- December 2022
- January 2023
Stay Informed
We encourage you to sign up for SUD Benefits updates.
Ask a question or make a suggestion: hcpf_sudbenefits@state.co.us