QBHA and Peer Support Reimbursement Reductions Announced by Colorado Access

The Qualified Behavioral Health Associate (QBHA) role was established under Senate Bill 22-181 (SB22-181), which is a recent Colorado legislative effort focused on expanding the behavioral health workforce and creating new pathways for entry-level mental health professionals. The bill was enacted in 2022 and sets the foundation for training, certification, and integration of QBHAs into the mental health system to increase service capacity and support community-based care.

Expanding this priority, we support the development of university-level training programs aligned with QBHA certification to provide a solid educational foundation and professional growth opportunities. This would include advocating for associated billing codes that allow reimbursement rates to reflect the value and costs of these services accurately.

However, a recent announcement from Colorado Access (COA) revealed a significant drop in reimbursement rates, effective July 1 2026, for some QBHA and Peer Support codes (specifically H0038, H2014, and H2032). This reduction threatens the employment stability of QBHAs and could limit their ability to offer services, potentially reducing utilization and access to care.

By addressing these reimbursement challenges and supporting educational pathways, we aim to ensure that QBHAs and other emerging mental health roles are sustainable, fairly compensated, and integrated into a growing, skilled workforce that meets Colorado’s mental health needs.