HB 18-1136

House Bill 18-1136, known as the Substance Use Disorder Treatment bill, aims to include residential and inpatient treatment for opioid and other substance use disorders under Colorado's medical assistance program. This means that people who need these treatments will be eligible for financial help if they meet certain criteria. The bill also requires the state health department to seek federal approval before implementing this benefit and to report back on how well the services are working. Currently, since the bill has been signed into law, it is now in the process of being implemented with the necessary steps like seeking federal authorization and gathering stakeholder input.

Official Summary

Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Interim Study Committee. The bill adds residential and inpatient substance use disorder services and medical detoxification services to the Colorado medical assistance program. The benefit is limited to persons who meet nationally recognized, evidence-based level of care criteria for residential and inpatient substance use disorder treatment. The benefit will not be effective until the department of health care policy and financing (department) seeks and receives any federal authorization necessary to secure federal financial participation in the program. Prior to seeking federal approval, the department shall seek input from stakeholders regarding decisions relating to the benefit. The department shall prepare and submit a performance review report to committees of the general assembly concerning services provided under the benefit and the effectiveness of those services. After considering the performance review report, the general assembly may enact legislation modifying or repealing the benefit. If an enhanced residential and inpatient substance use disorder treatment and medical detoxification services benefit becomes available, managed care organizations shall reprioritize the use of money allocated from the marijuana tax cash fund to assist in providing treatment, including residential treatment, to persons who are not otherwise covered by public or private insurance. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) Read More

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