Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Skip to main content

Mental Health and Recovery Services

Understand your benefits and find the mental health and recovery services you need.

Is this an emergency or crisis? Call 911 if you are having a life-threatening emergency and you think you may hurt yourself or others.

If you are struggling with a mental health or substance use concern, get free, immediate, human support from the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call or text 988, or live chat at 988colorado.com.

Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Benefits

Our goal is to connect you to care in a setting that meets your needs with the least restrictions possible. Here are some of the services covered by Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) offered by Colorado Access. For a full list of services, see the Health First Colorado member handbook or our CHP+ member handbook.

Some covered services:

  • Assessments: Helps you and your providers understand what type and level of care you need.
  • Counseling and therapy: Includes individual and group therapy and addiction counseling, in person or remotely through telehealth.
  • Services from a medical doctor who may offer therapy and manage your medication.
  • Medication management: A psychiatrist or other provider prescribes and adjusts medication for mental health conditions.
  • Medication-assisted treatment: Medication is used with therapy and other supports to make the recovery process easier and easier and safer (example: methadone).
  • Intensive outpatient programs: You go to mental health or recovery program several days a week either virtually or in person, but do not stay overnight
  • Partial hospitalization program: You go to the program virtually or in person five days a week for six to eight hours a day, but do not stay overnight.
  • Residential care for mental health.
  • Residential care for substance use recovery.
  • Inpatient psychiatric and substance use disorder care.
  • Crisis services: including services to stabilize your condition after a crisis.

There are no copays for behavioral health services for Health First Colorado members. CHP+ members may have copays for some services.

Finding a Behavioral Health Provider

It is important to find a behavioral health provider you can work with. Here are some tips for finding a provider:

Mental Health Care for Young People

Many children and youth experience mental health challenges. The sooner young people get the treatment and support they need, the better it is for their health and future.

Call us at 866-833-5717 to get help finding mental health care for children and young people. TTY users should call 888-803-4494 (toll-free). Click here to find mental health care online.

The I Matter program is another option for youth 18 years old or younger (age 21 and younger for youth receiving special education services). Youth can get up to six free therapy sessions without insurance or other documentation.

Youth can also find tips, tools, and confidential help from Your Life Your Voice.

Mental Health Care and Recovery Services for People Experiencing Homelessness

Homelessness affects both physical and mental health. It can make it hard to access health care. Many places offer physical and mental health services for people experiencing homelessness: