FAQ

If you believe the risk is imminent (emergency), contact 911 or the North Range Behavioral Health crisis number, 970.347.2120 option 2. For more information, click here.

If you suspect an overdose from drugs and/or alcohol, call 911 immediately. North Range Behavioral Health provides safe withdrawal services from drugs and alcohol in our detox facility and can refer clients for medical detoxification when necessary. Admittance may be delayed if your family member has any major medical problems or a history of complicated withdrawal. Due to the potential risk, medical clearance from a physician at an emergency room or urgent care facility may be required. (At present, our detox facility is unable to provide services for those who are in withdrawal from benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or methadone.) Detoxification is often the first step in the journey towards recovery. Please call us at 970.347.2120 or visit our facility at 1140 M Street, Greeley, CO 80631.

If you believe the crisis or emergency requires immediate intervention, contact 911 or the North Range Behavioral Health crisis number, 970.347.2120 option 2.

Please call us at 970.347.2120 to get help. We will ask you a few questions that will assist us in setting up your first appointment. Our mental health professionals will ask how to get a hold of you, why you are requesting an appointment, and if you have insurance. We will work with you if you don’t have insurance.

There are many resources on the internet and in your local library about mental health and specific illnesses. We have provided a few helpful links from reputable sources in Additional Information here. We encourage you to ask questions and discuss any concerns about information you find with your provider.

Will the person I see be able to prescribe medications? In almost all cases, a person’s first appointment will be with a therapist or clinician. The purpose of the meeting is primarily information-gathering and assessment. At that time, the therapist will help determine if a referral is needed for a psychiatric evaluation. This assessment may take more than one session. Sometimes, individuals can use various forms of therapy, recovery activities, and other interventions so that medication may not be necessary. If the therapist determines that a referral to one of our medical providers is warranted, they will make the referral. In most cases, that referral will take anywhere from 2-6 weeks. You are encouraged to speak with your provider about the possibility of using medications to help in your recovery at any time.

Medications treat the symptoms of mental disorders and although they cannot cure the disorder, they help people feel better. Medications work differently for different people. Some people get great results from medications, needing them only for a short time. People with illnesses that significantly impact their lives may need to take medication for a longer time. As a result, many people with mental health challenges live fulfilling lives with the help of these medications. Without such medications, some people with mental disorders might suffer serious and disabling symptoms.

The Genoa Healthcare Pharmacy located on-site at our Main Center is open and ready to serve you – even if you’re meeting with your doctor by phone or video! The pharmacy team is focused on serving the needs of those in the behavioral health and substance use disorder communities, as well as those who have complex, chronic conditions.

The Genoa Healthcare pharmacy:

• Fills all medications (not just behavioral health medications) on site.
• Can mail all your medications (at no extra cost) to your home or place of residence.
• Organizes your pills based on the date and time you need to take them, making it easier to stay on track.
• Assist with insurance plans and questions, including Medicaid and Medicare.
• Transfer prescriptions from other pharmacies to Genoa Healthcare.
• Cares for and gets to know each person on an individual level, serving as an extension of your care team.

Visit the Genoa Pharmacy team at Main Center today!

If you are concerned that your child or teenager may need behavioral health services, please call North Range Behavioral Health at 970.347.2120. To find out more, see additional information at Need Our Services?

North Range Behavioral Health offers a range of services for youth experiencing substance abuse. To inquire about these services, please call us at 970.347.2120.

You are your child’s best teacher and mentor. Therefore, it’s important that you are involved in the therapy process too. Lasting change happens when caregivers take an active role in the treatment process. You will learn more about your child and how to best support them in strengthening their mental health.

Ask your relative or the staff members working with them to obtain a release of information if you want to be involved in or informed of the treatment and services. Discuss concerns and observations with those treating your relative. If you have concerns or questions about treatment, talk with the therapist or case manager as well as your relative. To best help your relative, learn about the specific mental illness or substance use disorder, and develop coping strategies.

Take care of your own physical and mental health if you are a caregiver. Be supportive of your relative to promote hope for the future, but consider the safety and well-being of the whole family and community and set limits on behavior when appropriate. Participate in family education and support groups. Find and use the many community resources that can help you and your family members.

Medications may be prescribed for young children when mental, behavioral, or emotional symptoms are so severe and persistent that they would have serious negative consequences for the child if left untreated and other interventions alone are not proving effective. Although psychotropic medications affect children differently than adults, medications may be prescribed because the benefits outweigh the risks. Caregivers should ask questions and evaluate the benefits and the risks of medications with the child’s doctor. Parents should learn about the medications and side effects, including which side effects are tolerable and which ones are threatening. Our physicians will work with you and your child to evaluate if changes in diet and activity could positively affect your child’s condition.

Whether or not medications are prescribed, parents are encouraged to learn about, understand, and support the goals of a particular treatment (i.e., change in specific behaviors) and to be prepared to follow-up consistently and report observations.

Families concerned about long-range financial issues should obtain competent legal advice. Leaving an estate in a will could cause the loss of other benefits. A person on SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), for example, cannot receive substantial gifts nor have substantial assets. Financial support beyond subsistence needs can be arranged through a Discretionary or Special Needs Trust Fund, but there are rigid rules. Check with a bank, an attorney, or The Colorado Fund for People with Disabilities about a special needs trust.

If a person is not competent to handle their own affairs, legal responsibility for financial and business transactions may be assigned to another person by a civil court. This is called Guardianship-Conservatorship. If you need more information or assistance, legal aid services are available in most communities for people on limited incomes or visit the Guardianship Alliance of Colorado for more information.

Take this quick self-assessment to see if you have a problem with drugs and/or alcohol. To learn more about substance use disorder and to get help, call 970.347.2120

Yes. We know it can be frightening, frustrating, and overwhelming when you suspect your child or teenager may be under the influence of drugs. We encourage families to make this decision together and seek support as a family unit. Parents and legal guardians may request testing at our Crisis Stabilization Services at 1140 M Street, Greeley, CO. No appointment is necessary. For more information, click call 970.347.2120.

For many people struggling with substance use and addiction, being a part of a group of people with similar experiences can enhance one’s recovery. Knowing you’re not alone and that others have been able to reach their goals is important. To find resources for support groups and other information, call 970.347.2120.

North Range Behavioral Health accepts Health First Colorado (Medicaid), CHP+, Medicare, and other insurance plans. Be sure to check with your insurance provider to find out what your benefits cover. We can help you determine what coverage you have. You may also pay out of pocket. Those with low income and no insurance may be eligible for reduced fees. Proof of income is required in order to qualify for this sliding fee scale. To learn more about the sliding fee scale, click here.

To find out if you qualify for public assistance programs, such as Health First Colorado (Medicaid), food assistance, or cash assistance, click here for information on Colorado’s Peak Program. This state website will give you instructions to help you apply for these programs, including locations and phone numbers to call, and application forms you will need to complete. You can also get help with questions regarding enrolling in health insurance at Northern Colorado Health Alliance, My Health Connections.

You should plan to pay out of pocket for any DUI/DWAI classes that you attend at North Range Behavioral Health. We do not bill insurance for these courses, and will expect payment the day the service is provided. Your insurance company is not likely to pay for or reimburse required educational classes, but may provide coverage for therapy and treatment.

Many individuals may now access health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act. You may be eligible for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) under the new system. Insurance plans are required to offer coverage for mental health and substance use treatment, and that means better access to services. If you have questions about enrollment, visit Connect for Health Colorado to review enrollment dates and sign-up for a health insurance plan. You may also contact the North Colorado Health Alliance to make an appointment with a Certified Health Coverage Guide, who will provide impartial and expert assistance to individuals and families seeking health coverage.

Mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms and manage symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan. Mental illness may affect a person at any time in their life, at any age. It affects persons of any level of intelligence, although they may have trouble functioning at a normal level due to illness. Individuals may fluctuate between normal and irrational behavior. Mental illnesses can include, but are not limited to: depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder.

A developmental disability is caused by a mental or physical impairment or a combination of those impairments. developmental disabilities are not illnesses; they are conditions, and as such, cannot be cured. However, with specialized training, individuals may learn to improve and develop their abilities. They may be present at birth or occur before the individual reaches age 22. Brain injury can also cause developmental disabilities. Developmentally disabled individuals have a below average intellectual functioning (standard IQ below 70) but can usually be expected to behave rationally at their functional level. Developmental disabilities can include several types of conditions including, but not limited to: Autism, Down Syndrome, brain injury, Asperger’s Syndrome, Cerebral palsy, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Start by checking the resources listed in our additional Information section under the topic of developmental disabilities.

Mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, income, language, or ability. Individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families, may experience depression, anxiety, or have difficulties coping. Although North Range Behavioral Health does not provide specialized services for developmental disabilities, we can assist by helping you with coping skills and other supportive approaches. For more information, call 970.347.2120.

Yes. You have the right to expect your providers and other staff you interact with to maintain confidentiality and keep the information you share with them private. Your provider is not permitted to discuss information you share during your sessions with anyone else, unless you have given them specific permission to do so or they are otherwise required by law.

Sometimes, you may wish to have other people, such as family members, doctors, or other providers be involved in your treatment. In these cases, you will be asked to sign a release of information that indicates you have given us your permission to share information with people and/or agencies of your choice.

What about sharing information with family members? Family members sometimes want to share information with the provider about a client, and this is possible whether a release of information is in place or not. However, we are not able to share information about someone receiving services unless he or she has signed a release of information giving us permission to do so, or we are otherwise required by law.

In most cases, your employer will not know about your involvement in mental health or substance use treatment. Unless you give them permission to share it with others, all healthcare providers are required to protect and keep your medical information private, unless otherwise required by law. Examples of when your employer may know about treatment may include:

• A worker’s compensation claim: your employer may be informed about elements of your treatment in order to help you return to work.
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA): in order to take this protected leave due to a serious health condition, you may be required to provide a complete and sufficient medical certification if your employer requests it.

Yes. If you have signed a release of information, you have given us permission to share information with people and/or agencies of your choice. There are also other circumstances in which we would not need your permission as defined by State and Federal case law. Circumstances that are most common include:

• Collection of debt
• Third-party reimbursement (i.e. getting payment from insurance company)
• Defense of malpractice or professional complaint
• If you are a danger to yourself or another person
• Suspicion of abuse of children, elderly, or someone who is mentally or physically handicapped

HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a bill signed into United States law in 1996. This federal law “sets rules about who can look at and receive your health information. This law gives you rights over your health information and when it can be shared. It also requires your doctors, pharmacists, and other health care providers, and your health plan to explain your rights and how your health information can be used or shared.” More info about HIPAA is available here.

As a client of North Range Behavioral Health, you are entitled to certain rights. You may access your rights by clicking here. If you have Health First Colorado (Medicaid), you have additional rights. Please see your Health First Colorado (Medicaid) Member Handbook for a list of those rights. If you do not have this handbook, please call 970.347.2120 to request one.

At North Range Behavioral Health, we strive to provide you with the best services to help in your recovery. If at any time you would like to let us know what we have done well or provide feedback about areas we could improve, please call our Consumer Advocate at 970.313.1139.

How long does it last? It may be necessary to take someone incapacitated by mental illness, drugs, or alcohol to a facility for professional evaluation and treatment – even if the person is unwilling. This may have to be done to protect that person or others who are threatened by his or her behavior. While difficult for all involved, involuntary treatment can lead to very positive change.

If you think an involuntary hold is necessary, call our 24-hour crisis phone line: 970.347.2120. The on-call crisis counselor will evaluate the situation and explain the options and resources available. If an individual is placed at our Acute Treatment Unit (ATU) on an involuntary basis, they can be held for 72 hours on a Mental Health Hold. A Mental Health Hold can lead to a Mental Health Certification, which can last between 90 and 180 days.

If held involuntarily at our Detoxification Unit, it is considered an Emergency Commitment for up to 5 days. An Involuntary Commitment, for up to 210 days, is also possible; these commitments are decided by the court system. Contact Crisis Stabilization Services at 970.347.2120 for assistance if you wish to pursue this option for a loved one.

Our staff provides ongoing assessment during an individual’s stay to determine if involuntary hospitalization is still needed or to recommend further involuntary/voluntary treatment.

Colorado Access is a nonprofit health plan that provides access to behavioral and physical health services for more than one million people in Colorado. Since 1994, Colorado Access has been on a mission to partner with communities and empower people through access to quality, affordable care. Currently, Colorado Access has programs for people with Medicare, Health First Colorado (Medicaid), and Child Health Plan Plus.

North Range Behavioral Health is a Colorado Access behavioral health provider. This means that if you have Colorado Access as your health plan, you can receive services at North Range Behavioral Health. We feel that our partnership with Colorado Access helps us provide high-quality treatment that leads to recovery.

To find out more about Colorado Access, you can visit their website at coaccess.com, or call 800.511.5010.

You have the right to provide advanced written instructions to healthcare workers about the type of healthcare you want or do not want if you become so ill or injured that you cannot speak for yourself. These decisions are called Advance Directives. Advance Directives are legal papers you prepare while you are healthy. In Colorado, they include:

• A Medical Durable Power of Attorney: this names a person you trust to make decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
• A Living Will: this tells your doctor what type of life-sustaining procedures you want and do not want.
• A Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Directive: this is also known as a “Do Not Resuscitate” Order. It tells medical persons not to revive you if your heart and/or lungs stop working.

For more information about this, talk to your Primary Care Physician (PCP). Your PCP will have an Advance Directives form that you can fill out. Your mental health provider will ask you if you have an Advance Directive. You may have a copy placed in your mental health record if you wish. Advance Directives are voluntary, and you are not required to have one to receive services.

If you think your providers are not following your Advance Directive, you can file a complaint. Call or write to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at:

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, Colorado 80246-1530
303.692.2000

MakeTheConnection.net

Veterans can receive mental health support focused on the issues they face whenever they need it through this website. Provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, it connects veterans, their families and friends, and other supporters to vital mental health information and inspiring stories of recovery.