All Health, Aurora Mental Health roll out statewide assessment center; warn Medicaid rule changes will increase uninsured demand

All Health Network and Aurora Mental Health and Recovery updated the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners on service expansions and system pressures, saying a one‑stop assessment center and new residential capacity are connecting more people to care while state and federal Medicaid policy changes threaten to increase the number of uninsured residents who need behavioral‑health services.

The report to commissioners described a year‑old assessment center that provides comprehensive clinical assessments and a care‑connection specialist who gives “warm handoffs” to available providers, reducing the need for patients to call multiple clinics and repeat paperwork. “We have a 65 percent success rate in connecting people directly to care for those that we can,” said Sheena Binder, program lead, All Health Network. “We estimate… about 80 percent of folks who are getting connected to their care without having to chase it.”

County commissioners were told the assessment model uses memorandums of understanding so some partner providers will accept All Health’s assessment without requiring a new intake. The organizations said two physical assessment locations are already being used — Sycamore and an Inverness site near Dry Creek and I‑25 — and telehealth remains an option for most clients; staff estimated roughly 25 percent of clients prefer in‑person assessments.

Why it matters

Presenters said the center’s warm‑handoff model shortens the time between identification and treatment, which providers and…