Essential Safety Net Provider

Our offices are honored to be designated as an Essential Safety Net Provider by Colorado's Behavioral Health Administration and Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

What does it mean to be part of the safety net?

Behavioral health safety net providers serve priority populations and comply with the safety net no refusal requirements, ensuring that priority populations receive access to the care that they need to achieve whole person health through care and coordination.

What does it mean to serve priority populations?

Priority populations include individuals who are:

● Uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, publicly insured, or fall below the BHA identified income threshold

● Present with acute or chronic behavioral health needs

● Are identified by the BHA as needing prioritization, including: people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, children and youth at risk of out-of-home placement and their parents, people involved with the criminal or juvenile justice system, people of color, American Indians, Alaska natives, Veterans, people who are pregnant, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities

No Refusal Requirements

The following are conditions under which a behavioral health safety net provider cannot refuse treatment to an individual, as indicated in 27-50-301(4), C.R.S.

1. insurance coverage, lack of insurance coverage, or ability to pay

2. clinical acuity

3. readiness to transition out of an inpatient setting

4. involvement in the criminal or juvenile justice system

5. current involvement in the child welfare system

6. co-occurring disorders or disabilities

7. displays of aggressive behavior, or history of aggressive behavior

8. clinical presentation or behavioral presentation in any previous interaction with a provider

9. place of residence

10. disability, age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, or tribal affiliation

(Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NqOBy8J-wUARCxogVIPg5mc8dKcYNUjl/view)

Lifespan Psychiatry of Colorado will continue to offer high-intensity outpatient behavioral health services including psychiatric medication management, psychotherapy, and case management to all with no refusal to care for those most at risk. Whether you are uninsured, criminally-involved, or have been refused care in other settings, our office will work to meet your behavioral health needs.