Colorado Medicaid Revamps Behavioral Health Safety Net Reimbursement To Preserve Comprehensive Services

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is revising reimbursement strategy for behavioral health safety net services covered under the state’s prospective payment system (PPS). Taking effect October 1, 2026, the new payment approach intends to preserve access to comprehensive services provided by the state’s 19 Comprehensive Safety Net Providers (CSNPs) while responding to budget pressures and higher-than-anticipated utilization.

“Our overarching policy objective is to preserve as much coverage and eligibility and service benefits as possible,” Cristen Bates, Deputy Medicaid Director and Office Director for Colorado Medicaid and CHP+ Behavioral Health Initiatives and . . .