MSO Update

With the support of the BHA, MHP will end its MSO contract for administrative services on December 31, 2022. The contract requirements and MSO provider network responsibilities will be transitioned to another entity for Boulder County beginning January 1, 2023.

What are MSOs?

Colorado Managed Service Organizations (MSOs) hold the contract to manage indigent state and federal substance use disorder treatment funds through the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). MSOs are responsible for funding substance use disorder treatment and services by establishing and sub-contracting with a provider network. As Boulder County’s MSO, Mental Health Partners currently holds the responsibility for the contract management. MHP took over the contract from Boulder County Public Health in 2015.

There are currently 15 organizations serving Boulder County that provide a wide range of services, including:

Withdrawal Management
Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Residential Treatment
Psychiatric Medication (including Medication Assisted Treatment)
Specialized Services for Special Populations
Recovery Support Services (such as Sober Living and Peer Supports)

The Issue

During the 2022 legislative session, state lawmakers passed SB22-106, which implemented new guidelines for managed service organizations. One of the new requirements specifies that an employee of a contracted provider cannot also be an employee of the MSO. Although MHP supports the legislation, MHP’s MSO administrative staffing functions have historically been performed by our provider employees. While this helped to keep administrative costs historically low, this structure does not comply with the new legislation.

After careful review and consultation with the BHA, it became clear that options to reorganize and meet the requirements of the new law were limited, and no waivers for the requirements are available. Meeting the new requirements would require more investment in administration and consequently reduce our investment in client services. While we believe our model is an efficient way to provide these administrative services and does not present a conflict of interest, we respect the changes state policy makers have implemented.

Next Steps

Mental Health Partners submitted an official notice to terminate its contract with the state of Colorado and Boulder County for providing administrating funds for substance use disorder services. Mental Health Partners and the BHA are committed to working together to ensure that both the people receiving services and the providers are supported during this transition.

While we may not be able to answer all questions as we work through details with the BHA, we welcome the opportunity to speak further about the contract termination if that would be helpful. Please contact Dixie Casford at (720) 908-7024 or dcasford@mhpcolorado.org if you have any questions.

The MSO funds a variety of substance use treatment support and services for residents in Boulder County. The funding supports adults and adolescents who are either uninsured or underinsured.

Paid services will include residential care, detox, outpatient substance use treatment, and supportive peer and recovery services. For eligibility, prospective clients will have to meet the following criteria:

The overall income per household must be less than 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Households will be considered uninsured or under-insured if their insurance does not cover SUD services or if they have another source of payment, such as Medicaid.
You meet the criteria of the State of Colorado’s priority populations including those who are using substances by injection (IV substance use) , pregnant, or have dependent children.

The MSO collaborates with community and state partners to assist with the placement of Involuntary and Emergency Commitments in residential settings. Our talented professionals will also produce multiple grants each year with the goal to build and expand SUD treatment capacity in the region. For more information, please See Proposal Section Below.

Below you will find important information about network providers:

Find an MSO Near You

Mental Health Partners is the MSO for Boulder County, Colorado, through December 31, 2022.

Our mission is to include Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services in both public and private health care systems throughout our service areas.

Documents and Resources

Contract Resources

Proposals

MSO (Managed Services Organization) Provider Health Network