Community Integrated Health Care Service Agencies (CIHCS)
Regulations
Standards for Community Integrated Health Care Service Agencies
Definitions
Community Integrated Health Care Service Agency (CIHCS Agency or Agency)
A sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, nonprofit entity, special district, governmental unit or agency, or licensed or certified health care facility that is subject to regulation under Article 1.5 or Article 3 of Title 25 that manages and offers, directly or by contract, community integrated health care services.
Community Integrated Health Care Services (CIHCS)
The provision of certain out-of-hospital medical services as determined by these rules that a Community Paramedic and other qualified CIHCS Providers may provide and may include:
Services authorized pursuant to Section 25-3.5-1203(3) C.R.S. and as set forth in this rule;
Services authorized under the scope of practice as set forth in 6 CCR 1015-3, Chapter Two for a currently certified Colorado paramedic in good standing who is endorsed as a Community Paramedic; and
Services authorized pursuant to Section 25-3.5-206(4)(a.5)(II), C.R.S.
Community Integrated Health Care Services Provider (CIHCS provider)
A person who, through employment or under contract, performs certain out-of-hospital medical services, as determined by rule, on behalf of a CIHCS Agency:
- A Community Paramedic as defined in Section 2.11 of these rules acting within his or her scope of practice.
- An individual who:
- Is a health care provider who holds a valid Colorado license, registration, or certification by the Colorado Department Of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and is in good standing; and
- While acting within the scope of his or her license or certificate is supervised and directed by a CIHCS agency medical director.
- An individual who is employed by or contracted with the CIHCS agency who is not licensed, certified, or registered by DORA but who otherwise lawfully engages in practice, including but not limited to, dietetics, nutrition counseling, X-ray technology or phlebotomy while under the supervision and direction of a CIHCS Agency medical director to furnish community integrated health care services as defined in Section 25- 3.5-103(4.3), C.R.S. and as defined in these rules.
- Anyone employed by or contracted with the CIHCS Agency who is involved in the fulfillment of a consumer’s service plan.
- Except as provided in Section 5.3.4(C), EMS Providers who are not endorsed Community Paramedics are prohibited from providing out-of-hospital medical services to a consumer when employed by or contracting with a CIHCS Agency.
Community Paramedic
An emergency medical service provider as defined in Section 25-3.5- 103(8), C.R.S. who obtains an endorsement in community paramedicine pursuant to Sections 25- 3.5-203.5 and 206, C.R.S. and performs, in addition to a paramedic’s scope of practice, authorized tasks and procedures and acts within the scope of practice as established in these rules, and 6 CCR 1015-3, Chapter Two including:
- An initial assessment of the patient and any subsequent assessments, as needed;
- Medical interventions; 2.12.3 Care coordination; 2.12.4 Resource navigation;
- Patient education;
- Inventory, compliance, and administration of medications; and
- Gathering of laboratory and diagnostic data.
Fee Schedule
3/1/2025 to 6/30/2025 Fee Transition Period Guidance
The current fee schedules are posted to our Facility Fees website by March 1st of each year, for a July 1st effective date. The previous fee schedule will remain active for all initial applications, changes of ownership, and changes of information submitted on or before 6/30 each year. The guidance document above will be provided to help you navigate which fee schedule to use in your specific situation.
The fee schedules will also be linked within COHFI, on the Payment phase/section of the application, as well as a link to pay on the online portal.
Fees are applicable to all facilities except for institutions wholly owned and operated by the State or any of its political subdivisions.
Website: Facility Fees | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Initial License Application Guidance
Initial Health Facility/Agency Licensing - Guidance and Instructions (All License Types)
This document will provide guidance with questions that often come up during the initial licensure process. The document will walk you through the step by step process of initial licensure, from the Letter of Intent (LOI) to the license being issued.
This document also provides a checklist of all documents that are required to be submitted with the initial application. We recommend that you review this document in its entirety prior to submitting the LOI to request the license application.
Annual Reporting Requirement
Licensed providers are required to submit a report annually within 45 days of their license renewal.
Other Resources
Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (CARES)
Community paramedic (P-CP) endorsement
The Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform conducted a 2024 sunset review of the Community Integrated Health Care Service Agencies Program. Analysis is performed to determine if the Program is necessary and should be continued, modified, or repealed. View the 2024 CIHCS Sunset Review