Medicaid Therapy in Colorado: Your Complete Guide to Health First Colorado Mental Health Benefits

Short answer: Yes. Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) covers mental health therapy, including individual and family sessions. Under the program there are no copays and no limits on the number of outpatient therapy sessions you can have. Telehealth, including phone-only visits, is covered too. Always verify your specific plan.

Reaching out for therapy takes courage, and worrying about the cost can make it feel harder. If you have Health First Colorado, the state's Medicaid program, we have good news: your mental health care is covered. This guide walks you through exactly what your benefits include, how to find a therapist, and how to get started with real support close to home.

Does Colorado Medicaid cover therapy?

Yes. Health First Colorado, which is Colorado's Medicaid program, covers outpatient mental health therapy as a core benefit. This includes talk therapy with licensed counselors and clinical social workers for concerns like anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship stress.

Covered services include individual therapy, family therapy, and telehealth sessions. Your care is delivered through your region's behavioral health plan, which we explain below. Coverage details can vary, so it is always smart to verify your specific plan before your first visit.

How much does therapy cost with Health First Colorado?

With Health First Colorado, there are no copays for behavioral health therapy. That means you can attend covered therapy sessions at no cost to you. The $0 cost comes from the Medicaid program itself, not from any single practice.

You will not receive a surprise bill for a covered session, and you do not need to meet a deductible first. If you ever have questions about a specific service, ask your therapist's office or call the member line on the back of your Health First Colorado card. To be sure a service is covered for you, verify your specific plan.

Is there a limit on how many therapy sessions Medicaid covers?

No. Health First Colorado does not put a set limit on the number of outpatient therapy sessions you can have. Your care is based on what you and your therapist decide you need, not on a fixed number of visits.

This matters because healing takes time. Some people feel better after a few sessions, while others benefit from months of steady, weekly support. You are free to continue therapy for as long as it is helping and clinically appropriate. As always, verify your specific plan for any details unique to your coverage.

Does Medicaid cover online or telehealth therapy in Colorado?

Yes. Health First Colorado covers telehealth therapy, including video visits and audio-only (phone) sessions. This makes it possible to meet with a licensed therapist from home, from work on a break, or anywhere you have privacy.

Telehealth is a great fit if you live far from a provider, do not drive, have a busy schedule, or simply feel more comfortable at home. Whole Connection offers telehealth therapy statewide to anyone in Colorado with Health First Colorado. Verify your specific plan to confirm telehealth coverage for your situation.

Does Colorado Medicaid cover couples or family therapy?

Family psychotherapy is a covered service under Health First Colorado. This means sessions that include family members can be part of your covered mental health care when they support the treatment of a diagnosed condition.

Family therapy can help parents and children reconnect, ease conflict at home, and support a loved one through a hard season. Coverage for couples work depends on how the service is billed and the clinical reason for care, so it is best to ask directly. We are glad to help you check what applies to you, and we always encourage you to verify your specific plan.

Which Medicaid behavioral health plan (RAE) am I in?

Health First Colorado behavioral health is managed through Regional Accountable Entities, or RAEs. Since July 1, 2025, under ACC Phase III, Colorado has four regions. Your RAE is based on the county where you live.

  • Boulder, Broomfield, and Jefferson counties: Colorado Community Health Alliance (CCHA)
  • Denver, Adams, and Arapahoe counties: Colorado Access
  • Larimer and Weld counties: Northeast Health Partners

If you live in Denver, you may also be enrolled through Denver Health Medicaid Choice. Not sure which plan you have? Check your Health First Colorado paperwork or call the member line on your card. Your RAE helps connect you with covered therapists in your area.

How do I find a therapist who accepts Medicaid in Colorado?

To find a Medicaid therapist, start with providers who state clearly that they accept Health First Colorado, then confirm they have openings and see clients in your region. You can search your RAE's provider directory, call the member line on your card, or contact a practice directly.

Whole Connection accepts Health First Colorado at our Boulder and Denver offices and through telehealth across Colorado. You can browse our licensed counselors and social workers on our team page and reach out to check availability. We will help confirm your coverage before your first session so there are no surprises.

Can Medicaid help me get to my therapy appointments?

Yes. Health First Colorado offers non-emergency medical transportation to covered appointments for members who qualify. In the Denver metro area, this service is provided through MediDrive, which you can reach at 855-489-4999.

If getting a ride is a barrier, this benefit can help you attend in-person sessions without worrying about how to get there. Call ahead to schedule your ride, since it usually needs to be arranged in advance. Transportation rules and coverage areas can vary by county, so verify your specific plan and ask what is available where you live.

What changes to Medicaid should I know about for 2026 and 2027?

Some Health First Colorado rules are changing, and staying informed helps you keep your coverage. Starting in January 2027, many adults in the expansion group will need to meet a work or community engagement requirement of about 80 hours per month. Notice letters explaining this will begin arriving in August 2026.

Also, adults in the expansion population will renew their coverage every 6 months instead of once a year. To stay covered, keep your address and contact information up to date with the state, open any mail from Health First Colorado, and respond to renewal requests on time. If you lose coverage during a gap, we can talk through your options, including self-pay.

Is there free therapy for kids and teens in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado offers free youth therapy through the I Matter program. Any young person in Colorado can get up to 6 free counseling sessions, no insurance required. This is available in addition to Medicaid coverage.

I Matter is designed to make it easy for kids and teens to talk with a licensed therapist about stress, sadness, anxiety, or whatever is on their mind. You can learn more and get started at IMatterColorado.org. If your child needs ongoing support beyond those sessions, Health First Colorado covers continued therapy, and we are happy to help your family find the right fit.

Are there Spanish-speaking Medicaid therapists in Colorado?

Yes. Getting support in your first language matters, and you deserve a therapist who understands you. Whole Connection has Spanish-speaking therapists available for clients with Health First Colorado, both in person and by telehealth.

Therapy works best when you can express yourself fully and feel truly heard. Whether you prefer to speak Spanish, English, or move between both, we will do our best to match you with a therapist who fits your needs. Let us know your language preference when you reach out, and we will help find the right person on our team.

How do I start therapy with Whole Connection using Health First Colorado?

Getting started is simple. Reach out by phone or through our website, tell us you have Health First Colorado, and let us know whether you prefer our Boulder office, our Denver office, or telehealth. We will verify your coverage and help match you with a therapist.

You can see us in person at 100 Arapahoe Ave in Boulder or 5335 W 48th Ave in Denver, or meet by telehealth anywhere in Colorado. If you do not have Medicaid, self-pay is $135 per session, with a limited sliding scale for those who qualify. Learn more on our Medicaid therapy page, and take the first step toward feeling better.

Quick questions

Do I need a referral to start therapy with Health First Colorado?

Usually no. You can typically contact a Medicaid therapy provider directly to begin outpatient therapy. Some services may have extra steps, so verify your specific plan or ask the practice when you call.

Will I get a bill for my covered therapy sessions?

No. Health First Colorado has no copays for behavioral health therapy, so you should not receive a bill for covered sessions. The $0 cost comes from the Medicaid program. If you have questions about a charge, contact your provider's office.

Does Whole Connection accept Health First Colorado?

Yes. Whole Connection accepts Health First Colorado at our Boulder office (100 Arapahoe Ave), our Denver office (5335 W 48th Ave), and through telehealth statewide. Call us and we will verify your coverage before your first visit.

What if my Medicaid coverage ends or I lose eligibility?

Keep your contact information current with the state and respond to renewal mail to avoid gaps. If coverage ends, self-pay at Whole Connection is $135 per session, with a limited sliding scale for those who qualify. We will talk through your options.

Can adults get free therapy sessions like the I Matter youth program?

I Matter offers 6 free sessions specifically for youth in Colorado. Adults do not use I Matter, but adults with Health First Colorado have covered outpatient therapy with no copays and no session limits, which provides ongoing support.

You do not have to carry it all alone, and cost does not have to stand in your way. If you have Health First Colorado, your therapy is covered, and Whole Connection is ready to help you heal, grow, and thrive. Call us at (720) 442-0946 to verify your coverage and get matched with a caring, licensed therapist in Boulder, Denver, or by telehealth anywhere in Colorado. Reach out today, we would be honored to walk alongside you.

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