Secure Transport

House Bill 21-1085 directs HCPF to implement a behavioral health secure transportation paid benefit by July 1, 2023. This legislation creates a standardized transport benefit to improve access to behavioral health care. It is a collaborative effort between HCPF, the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). 

Get Enrolled

To enroll with HCPF, BHST providers must have appropriate licenses and vehicle permits. Please use BHST Licensing/Permitting County Contacts List to identify the point of contact for BHST licensing and permitting processes in each county. This list is updated periodically and should not be considered exhaustive. This information is shared for the benefit of companies who intend to enroll with HCPF as BHST providers. Find more information about provider enrollment on the BHST Billing Manual webpage. 

Once BHST providers have obtained appropriate licenses and permits, it is recommended that BHST providers advise local agencies of their operations. Some suggestions for connections include:

• Local dispatch agencies, also known as Public Safety Answering Points (PASP). It is recommended that you contact the administrative line instead of 911 for routine matters. 
• Mobile Crisis Response Teams
• Emergency medical transportation services
• Community behavioral health services
• Facilities

Forum Archives

HCPF/CDPHE/BHA Stakeholder Meeting: CDPHE Data Collection

• Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023
• Watch the recording
• Meeting Slides

HCPF/CDPHE/BHA Stakeholder Meeting: Updates and Medical Services Board Timeline

• Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023
• Watch the recording
• Meeting Slides

HCPF/CDPHE/BHA Stakeholder Meeting: Medical Services Board Timeline

• Wednesday, March 22, 2023
• Watch the recording
• Meeting Slides

HCPF/CDPHE/BHA Stakeholder Meeting

• Thursday, April 20, 2023
• Watch the recording
• Meeting Slides

HCPF/CDPHE/BHA Stakeholder Meeting

• Tuesday, May 30, 2023
• Watch the recording
• Meeting Slides

HCPF/CDPHE/BHA Stakeholder Meeting

• Friday, June 23, 2023
• Watch the recording
• Meeting Slides

HCPF/CDPHE/BHA Technical Assistance Meeting

• Monday, July 17, 2023
• Watch the recording
• Meeting Slides

HCPF/CDPHE/BHA Technical Assistance Meeting

• Wednesday, August 23, 2023
• Watch the recording
• Meeting Slides

Frequently Asked Questions 

How can I enroll as a HCPF BHST Provider? 

BHST Providers will enroll as a Behavioral Health Secure Transportation Provider Type 97, Specialty Type Secure Transportation 773. Enroll as a provider via the Provider Portal following the Medicaid Enrollment Process. To learn more about this process, please review provider resources. Providers enrolling as a BHST provider will be required to submit licenses and permits from each county in which they operate.

If I am already enrolled with HCPF to provide any type of Behavioral Health care, do I need to enroll separately to provide BHST?

Yes, if you are already enrolled with HCPF to provide behavioral health care, you will need to assure specific enrollment as a Behavioral Health Secure Transportation Provider 97 with the specialty type of Secure Transportation 773. This allows you to get reimbursement through HCPF for BHST services.

If I am already enrolled with HCPF to provide Emergency Medical Transportation, do I need to enroll separately to provide BHST?

If you are an enrolled HCPF Emergency Medical Transportation Provider Type 13 (Specialty Type 124 or 324), you do not need to enroll as a Behavioral Health Crisis Services Provider with the specialty type of Secure Transportation in order to bill BHST codes. As a HCPF Enrolled Provider Type 13 (Specialty 124 or 324), the provider must maintain appropriate records demonstrating compliance with the secure transportation minimum standards, including the “secure transportation vehicle safety and design standards” per CDPHE Rule 6 CCR 1011-4. CDPHE Rule also indicates that “A ground ambulance agency shall notify CDPHE if it is providing secure transportation services under its ground ambulance license as part of its secure transportation service profile set forth at Part 6.4.”

Please see CDPHE FAQ for more detail on Ground Ambulances who provide BHST services.

Will the RAE plans reimburse for this service or HCPF fee-for-service? 

BHST is currently a fee-for-service benefit though HCPF.  That means HCPF enrolled providers will bill HCFP directly for provision of services to Health First Colorado members. 

What is the reimbursement rate and codes expected for this service?

Below are the current codes and initial draft rates are subject to change.

Code	Modifier	Unit	Description	Proposed Rate
A0999	ET	One Way Loaded Trip	Behavioral Health Secure Transport	$262.66
A0425	ET	Mile	Ground mileage, per statute mile	$6.10

Are there payment considerations for BHST services provided to people without Health First Colorado coverage?

The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) has a General Accounting Encumbrance to fund certain services that may apply to non-Health First Colorado Members. To learn more about the BHA General Accounting Encumbrance, please contact Mark Condojani.

How You Can Help

The Department and its partners encourage you to take the Behavioral Health Secure Transportation (BHST) Stakeholder Engagement Survey. The Department is also collecting county contacts responsible for helping to set up the BHST licensing and permitting process. Email Meghan Morrissey with information.

Legislative Requirements and Reports

• House Bill 21-1085
• CDPHE Rule 6 CCR 1011-4

Resources

• CDPHE Background FAQ Page
• CDPHE Letter About EMS Behavioral Health Training
• CDPHE Secure Transportation Implementation Toolkit
• Colorado Counties, Inc
• Sample Implementation Documents (shared by Archuleta County)
• Colorado Counties FAQ (November 2022)
• Colorado Counties FAQ (December 2022)
• Department/CDPHE/BHA Secure Transport Call-to-Action Letter (December 21, 2022)

Stay Informed

Ask a question or make a suggestion. Contact meghan.morrissey@state.co.us