Special Connections
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF)
Is there a program that supports pregnancy and postpartum while I'm getting substance-use treatment?
What this is
Special Connections is pregnancy and postpartum-specific substance-use support: case management, counseling, and health education, continuing through your child's first year.
Why it matters after birth
It is built around being pregnant and being a new parent, rather than treatment that happens to include you. The support continues for a full year after your baby is born.
You may qualify if
For pregnant and postpartum Health First Colorado members. The current member listing says no preapproval is required for Special Connections itself.
What you actually get
Case management, counseling, and health education. If Special Connections is not the right fit, Health First Colorado covers other substance-use services including assessment, counseling, medication-assisted treatment, withdrawal management, and residential care when medically appropriate.
How long it lasts
Through your child's first year.
What it costs
This is a covered Health First Colorado benefit; pregnant and postpartum members have no copays for maternity benefits. Confirm for a specific service.
How to use it
Ask your maternity provider, your regional organization, or your substance-use treatment provider about Special Connections. The current member listing says no preapproval is required for Special Connections itself.
What you'll need
Your Health First Colorado member information.
Important limitations
No preapproval is required for Special Connections, but do not generalise that to every substance-use service: the broader benefit table shows that some residential and inpatient levels of care may require authorization. Support runs through your child's first year.
How it works with other benefits
Special Connections can coordinate with your maternity care, medication-assisted treatment, your regional organization, and your doula support.
Finding a provider or service
Your regional organization and your maternity or treatment provider are the routes in. Your regional organization also maintains the behavioral-health network.
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
Health First Colorado covers other substance-use services including assessment, counseling, medication-assisted treatment, withdrawal management, and residential care when medically appropriate. In a crisis, call or text 988.
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
- Programme availability varies by region; your regional organization can identify providers.
- Referral or prior authorization
- No preapproval for Special Connections itself; some residential and inpatient levels of care may require authorization.
In plain terms
What this means for you
This is substance-use support designed around pregnancy and new parenthood — case management, counselling and health education that stays with you through your baby's first year, and you do not need preapproval for it. If it is not the right fit, Colorado still covers assessment, counselling, medication-assisted treatment and residential care when it is medically appropriate.
Your next step
What to do next
Ask your maternity provider, treatment provider, or regional organization to connect you with Special Connections. If you need a higher level of care, ask whether authorization is required for that specific service. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Official sources
Last verified September 16, 2026 · Ready
3 official sources
Authority: Health First Colorado Special Connections benefit; 10 CCR 2505-10 8.700
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.