Behavioral Health

Overview of services

Behavioral Health Services are vital to the emotional and physical health of many Americans. Medicaid covers medically necessary behavioral health services.

Under Medicaid, these services include medication or therapies that treat the symptoms of a mental illness such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.  

Behavioral health services can also help manage behaviors related to having a disability or chronic illness.  For example. a child with a mood disorder might need help with reducing behavioral outbursts or regulating emotional responses an adult might need help to end an addiction.

Restrictions  

Behavioral health providers are only required to provide services which are in their contract, and only for certain diagnoses.

If a person needs to access services not covered by their contract, they may still be able to access services through a fee-for-services program.

Accessing Services

You can find your local behavioral health organization or mental health center by visiting the Health Care Policy and Financing website.

There are also new mental health crisis services in Colorado, that include a 24/7 hotline ( 1-844-493-TALK (8255) ) as well as a variety of other services such as:

• peer counseling,
• walk-in locations, and
• therapeutic respite at crisis stabilization units throughout the Metro area.

Behavioral Health Services are vital to the emotional and physical health of many Americans, so it is fortunate that these services can be covered by Medicaid to the same degree as other health-related needs.