Behavioral Health & Regional Organization Access
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing with the four Accountable Care Collaborative regional organizations
If I'm struggling emotionally after birth, what does Health First Colorado cover and who helps me find care?
Needs recheck — read this as research, not as a benefit you can rely on yet.
What this is
Health First Colorado covers mental-health and substance-use treatment. Since July 1, 2025, Accountable Care Collaborative Phase III uses four regional organizations to coordinate physical and behavioral health care and to maintain behavioral-health provider networks.
Why it matters after birth
Treatment is covered, and there is a specific organisation whose job is to help you find someone — which is more useful than a directory when you are exhausted.
You may qualify if
Health First Colorado members have mental-health and substance-use benefits. 988 crisis support is available regardless of coverage.
What you actually get
Mental-health and substance-use treatment, with your regional organization coordinating physical and behavioral health and maintaining the provider network you use.
How long it lasts
Available while you are covered, including through your 12-month postpartum period.
What it costs
Behavioral-health treatment is a covered benefit. Cost rules vary by category, and pregnant and postpartum members have no copays for maternity benefits; confirm for the specific service.
How to use it
Contact your regional organization and ask for help finding a behavioral-health provider and getting an appointment, saying you are postpartum. In a crisis, call or text 988.
What you'll need
Your Health First Colorado member information.
Important limitations
A covered benefit does not guarantee provider capacity — whether someone is available near you depends on the regional network. TMO has not confirmed official source URLs or appointment-access standards, which is why this profile is labelled Needs recheck. Separately, from January 1, 2027 behavioral-health services for the Cover All Coloradans affected population are scheduled to move to fee-for-service.
How it works with other benefits
Behavioral-health care sits inside your postpartum coverage and connects to Special Connections for substance-use support and to Prenatal Plus during pregnancy.
Finding a provider or service
Your regional organization maintains the behavioral-health network and can help you find a provider and social supports. Find a Doctor is also available.
Language & cultural access
The 24/7 Nurse Advice Line, 800-283-3221, operates in English and Spanish. Ask your regional organization about interpretation.
If you do not qualify
988 is available to anyone by call or text. If you are not covered, apply through PEAK or 1-800-221-3943.
Access in practice
Being covered and being able to use it are different things. This is what the sources say about actually reaching this support.
- Provider availability
- Network capacity varies by region; coverage does not imply an available clinician.
- Provider rules
- Four regional organizations coordinate care and maintain behavioral-health provider networks.
In plain terms
What this means for you
Therapy and substance-use treatment are covered, and you have a regional organisation whose job is to find you a provider — so ask them rather than ringing round yourself. Being covered still does not mean someone is free nearby, so say plainly that you are postpartum and ask them to keep working on it. In a crisis, 988 answers.
Your next step
What to do next
Call your regional organization, say you are postpartum and need behavioral-health care, and ask them to find a provider and book the appointment. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Official sources
Last verified September 16, 2026 · Needs recheck
2 official sources
Authority: Health First Colorado behavioral-health benefits; Accountable Care Collaborative Phase III
Recheck when: Source ledger incomplete: TMO has not confirmed official behavioral-health and regional organization page URLs. Also note that from January 1, 2027 behavioral-health services for the Cover All Coloradans affected population are scheduled to move to fee-for-service.
Still being verified
- Official Colorado behavioral-health and regional organization page URLs are not yet in TMO's source ledger.
- Appointment-access standards and regional network detail are not verified and are not published here.
This is plain-language public-policy information, not legal, medical, or benefits advice, and it is not specific to your situation. Policy changes, so confirm current rules with the agency or your health plan.