Colorado Medicaid Launches Initiatives To Address Behavioral Health Reimbursement Disparities

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is analyzing its Medicaid behavioral health reimbursement methodologies to determine whether rate disparities exist between independent provider organizations and community mental health centers (CMHCs) and the reasons for possible disparities. The effort is part of the state’s effort to transform the public behavioral health system. Six initiatives to address inappropriate rate disparities have started, and five more have been recommended. HCPF will present its recommendations for minimizing inappropriate rate variation to the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee by November 15, 2022.

Currently Colorado Medicaid uses different methodologies linked to . . .