FREE THERAPY in Summit County

One of the most common barriers to accessing mental health care is cost. Building Hope believes that cost should never keep someone from receiving the mental health care that they need. Building Hope created a scholarship program for residents or employees in Summit County, CO who identify finances as preventing them from receiving mental health support. Scholarships cover individual, family, couples therapy, and psychiatric appointments. Scholarships cannot be used for medication or inpatient treatment at this time.
 
Building Hope Mental Health scholarship recipients can access up to 12 free sessions of care. The scholarships are accepted by most private providers and mental health agencies in the community. Once approved for a Building Hope Scholarship, recipients are able to select a provider of their choice or a Building Hope Care Team member can help determine which provider will best meet the requested needs. 

While Building Hope does not ask for financial records of scholarship recipients, it is important that financial hardship is a barrier to care for the requesting individual. This program is meant for those that either live or work in Summit County and are experiencing financial hardship that prevents them from being able to afford mental health care.

The Building Hope Mental Health Scholarship program has provided care coordination and financial support for thousands of hours of therapy to residents and workforce members in Summit County who could not afford therapy otherwise. In order to increase access to behavioral health providers, Building Hope also funds Insurance Support, paying for credentialing and billing services to increase provider insurance acceptance and decrease community member costs.

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Who is the Building Hope Scholarship for?

Building Hope Mental Health Scholarships are available to anyone who lives or works in Summit County who is in need of behavioral health services, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

If an applicant has insurance, Building Hope attempts to match a provider in network with the insurance carrier for the client's longevity of care. Building Hope understands that there are some barriers to using insurance such as high deductibles, no in-network providers, or specialty care needs, in which cases, Building Hope will issue a scholarship to applicants with insurance when these barriers exist. When possible, Building Hope will help a client work with their insurance provider, EAP plan or other payment source, in addition to a scholarship, to maximize all funding sources available for treatment.

How the Building Hope Scholarship Application Works

1. Check your eligibility. Detailed in the sections below are eligibility requirements for the Building Hope Mental Health Scholarship program.
2. Visit MountainStrong.org to register online and complete the Building Hope Scholarship patient application (available in English or Spanish).
3. Receive approval instantly. All qualified applicants will automatically be approved in the Mountain Strong system.
4. Select the services you need from Mountain Strong's list of behavioral health providers.
5. Use the scholarship to cover up to 12 free sessions for mental health treatments each year. Please note that the scholarship does not cover costs for medications or inpatient services at this time.

Questions about the Building Hope Mental Health Scholarship program? Contact us at EagleValleyBH@VailHealth.org or Info@BuildingHopeSummit.org.

Does the Scholarship Work with Medicaid?

Applicants who have Medicaid are not able to apply for Building Hope scholarships through the Mountain Strong portal. It is encouraged that a person who has Medicaid attempts to use a Medicaid provider first before contacting Building Hope for a scholarship as Medicaid will cover the full costs of behavioral health services.

There are now various Medicaid providers available on the Building Hope provider database. Applicants who have exhausted Medicaid provider options or have an extenuating circumstance that prevents them from using their Medicaid benefit, are asked to reach out to Building Hope directly at (970) 485-6271.

How Are Scholarships Approved?

Scholarships will be provided for the following reasons:

• The applicant does not have health insurance OR the applicant has a health insurance plan with a high deductible and/or copay.
• There are no in-network providers in Summit County who accept the applicant’s health insurance.
• All of the in-network providers who accept the applicant’s insurance are not accepting new clients and the applicant must receive services from a provider who does not accept insurance.
• The applicant has an existing relationship with a therapist who does not accept insurance (applicant has been seeing this provider for 4 or more sessions).
• The applicant has demonstrated a need for specialty care from a provider who does not accept insurance.
• The applicant has received services from providers who accept insurance and determined that these providers cannot meet their needs.

Scholarship Agreement Details & Conditions

In order to be approved for a scholarship, the patient must agree to all of the following:

• Attest that the applicant lives and/or works in Summit County, CO and they are facing a financial barrier to seeking behavioral health services in accordance with the financial barriers listed in the application.
• Agree to the release of the patient’s personal information (information listed on the application) to Eagle Valley Behavioral Health (EVBH) through the application release of information.   
• Accept responsibility for identifying and scheduling appointments with the participating behavioral health provider of their choice. The scholarship program/EVBH does not schedule appointments for scholarship recipients or make referrals for any specific providers in the scholarship Provider Directory.
• Agree to schedule their first session with a behavioral health provider within 30 days of being approved for a scholarship. The scholarship will expire after 30 days and the patient must reapply to the program.
• Acknowledge that if the patient does not attend a scheduled appointment, the scholarship program will pay the provider for one “no show” session. If the patient misses a second appointment, they will no longer be eligible for free sessions covered by the scholarship program.

 
Learn More >   Apply Now at MountainStrong.com >