Highlands Behavioral Health Systems

If you have any choice in where to send a psych patient, I would urge to avoid this facility at all costs. Very little treatment is received by patients — it is essentially an over-​priced holding facility run by a group of jaded 20-​somethings.
There is so little treatment provided that patients are able to read a full-​length novel each day. Even though groups are scheduled throughout the day, the social workers/​facilitators regularly do not show up. Of those who do show up, it’s clear that they despise their jobs. These poor kids fresh out of college with their degrees already hating the path their life has taken, making the patients’ stays even worse.
The communication between different levels of staff members is terrible, leading to a ridiculous amount of inefficiency in patient care. This place is everything that’s wrong with mental healthcare in the USA — minimal to nonexistent care to either gouge insurance companies or bankrupt vulnerable patients.
Incredibly poor care also led to the death of patient Carson Magines, who was overdosed on Fentanyl and dead for HOURS before BHS noticed it, then tried to cover it up. Please google this for yourself to get an idea of their level of ‘care’.

Leonard is great. Place appears clean. Front desk is friendly. There is very little communication with the patient and family. Don’t be afraid to call and ask questions. If you want answers keep trying! I’m sure the therapy to the patient is good but the doctors do not work closely with the social worker or other doctors. We would ask why she is not being released after the 72 hour hold and no one had the answers. Sometimes my family member had to start from scratch with what happened. Was left disappointed when she was told she was going home and not released. Communication is key. I’m sure their main interest is for the patients well being and to ensure the patient is better when they leave. Communicate! If we are told reasons why it’s easier to understand.
Kudos to all in this field.

Christine called me back to back regarding an adult patient in the facility. As soon as I called her back wth addition insurance information, never heard from her again. No status, no plans of action. nothing because she got what she wanted. Proof is right there they dont give a damn about these patients only concerned about the cash. Travesty.

It’s strange that not one review has listed an alternative to this facility? hmmm, interesting. (These reviews from my families perspective and 3 child visits are terribly unbalanced and inaccurate)
I’ve had 2 sons end up in this facility and it is a place of last resort for a kid who is spinning out, police, suicidal ideation, etc.
These guys run it correctly, so no parent or anyone can manipulate a 72 hr hold. Yes they are strict and you must follow their rules, and most teens who are spinning out in their life have trouble with that concept — thus the absurd stories.
Yes a hold can cost $ 5k, but it is in effect to ensure many kids stay alive and an effort to stabilize, not fix. No magic here, but there are professional caring people.
It’s a nightmarish situation for anyone to have their child placed here, but it beats a county jail where it’s much more dangerous, and some can actually die.
Where else would all the reviewers give a good review for this type of situation?

I cannot recommend Highlands Behavioral Health due to their aggressive business practices. They exploit families and insurance to squeeze as much money as possible from the system. It’s disgusting and sad to think a facility that is supposed to help people would be so heartless and greedy to take advantage of families during an extremely vulnerable time. Our child was in this facility for a week (their «standard stay» — almost everyone is there for one week) and the «all-​inclusive» bill was $ 9300. My child told us that they were told they would have meetings and those meetings never happened. Mostly group sessions and very little individual attention. When I asked for a statement of charges, I was told by their business department that their price is all inclusive — regardless of how little or how much individual time is spent.
My advice to anyone who is unfortunate enough to have a loved one at this facility is to contact your insurance provider to discuss payment and make sure you know your rights under your coverage. You cannot trust the staff at Highlands because they will manipulate you into paying more than you should (assuming you have private insurance). When I picked up my child from this facility I was asked to pay before I even saw my child. It felt like I was paying a ransom and I don’t say that lightly. After the most difficult week of my life while my child was there, that payment was their highest priority. No explanation just a bottom line amount. I paid $ 2500 and my insurance said I should only have to pay $ 1800. My insurance provider said that most facilities don’t ask for payment in this situation and that it was wrong of Highlands to do so. So Highlands owed me almost $ 700 but instead, sent me another bill for over $ 3000 asking for payment beyond the group rate my insurance covers. And Highland is in-​network for my insurance plan. If you must pay something to pick up your loved one, I strongly suggest you only pay 10% and then settle the difference later after insurance has been billed. Highlands took over a month to bill my insurance company which really makes having a high deductible plan difficult since I had no choice but to pay other providers even when I knew I exceeded my deductible with Highlands. I doubt it would have taken them that long had I not paid so much at the time of discharge.
You need to understand Highlands Behavioral Health is a business and they know you are vulnerable and they will exploit your child or loved one during that vulnerable time to increase their bottom line. Know your rights and educate yourself. Even though it’s a difficult time for you to think about insurance or money, you need to do that otherwise you will be taken advantage of by the aggressive business staff at Highlands Behavioral Health.
If you encounter a problem with Highlands BHS, I suggest you contact the
and file a complaint. I had to do that in order to get my refund from Highlands BHS (it took 3 months to get my refund).
This was our first time dealing with a family emergency like this and we were given a few options but had no time to fully research facilities. If you are reading this I realize there is a good chance you are doing so after your loved one has already been admitted to Highlands BHS. It’s unfortunate that Highlands BHS is so aggressive in their business practices. As a businessman, I recognize this as a top-​down problem that starts with their leadership. I sincerely hope reviews like this help create a culture of change in their leadership which could greatly benefit future patients and families.

My 15 year old son was brought to HBC on a Thursday for a 72 hour hold from the ED at Children’s Hospital. It was THE only bed in Denver at that time, and we had been waiting for 12 hours. He was transported in the middle of the night and it was suggested by the docs at Children’s that I not go for check in, but rather wait to visit the next day.
The first morning the nurse called me to say he was processed and that I could bring him some clothes and personal effects but because it was Friday, there would be no visitation until Saturday. Friday night a psychiatrist called me and said he has evaluated my son and gave me a diagnosis. This diagnosis came after a 20 minute evaluation. This doc told me that because we were going into a weekend there would be no way my son would be released before Monday.
I made multiple calls over the weekend to get a status on my son and tried to get info when I went for visitation. No one returned my calls or could answer any of my questions. When I finally reached someone on Monday, they still gave me no info. But, she did say it wasn’t unusual for a parent to be frustrated with the lack of communication. Through visiting hours with my son we found he had ZERO therapy. He had one evaluation and several groups, but spent the majority of his time in his room like a prisoner. FINALLY late Monday someone called me to say I could pick him up on Tuesday. When I asked if he was ready? They responded that his stuff would be ready to go. Not at all what I was asking. When I showed up on Tuesday, a nurse handed me his belongings and written medication instructions and sent us on our way. Never once did I speak to anyone about my son’s case. Never was there follow up. 10 days later we were back at CHC for another suicide attempt. Highlands behavioral did NOTHING to help my son. I called multiple times to inquire about his care. They have sent me several notices showing that care is on a daily per diam fee. All inclusive, but can not or will not send me medical records explaining what care he was given. This place is a joke. It is dangerous. It is a business and they do not care at all about their patients. It is about Money. And we wonder why mental health is such an issue. Places like this. If you love your family member, KEEP THEM AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!!!

There is little psychotherapy done here, more like a business to make money off ill people. My patient was discharged yet was totally unable to take care of herself, got lost, backslid, and any progress at highlands like meals, bed, shower were lost at the cost to the tax payers. I would avoid sending anyone here.

Unfortunate experience with a family member that was struggling. Reached out to HBH to inquire about alternatives since they had been helpful in the past with both Inpatient/​Outpatient options We were told that «the staff remembered her and felt like they had nothing more to offer». WOW, how sad is that… concerned enough to send the police for a welfare check BUT we can’t help you. I called to plead our case… that this was a crisis situation and I was trying to keep it from escalating. I had seen positive results from the past partial hospitalization so I was hoping to address that. Nate was very helpful but was unable to speak regarding specific issues/​concerns and he directed me to DeeDee. I left a detailed message but never received a call back. Shame on You DeeDee!!! I expected more from a healthcare professional, this is the point at which you offer some guidance and direction… not just let someone falter.

This place is a nightmare. One week in there felt like a lifetime. The nurse that took my blood left a softball sized bruise on my arm, my parents were threatened by some egotistical bitch nurse named Paula on multiple occasions, I was forced to take medication I didn’t want to take, and there was false information put in my file. I’ve called numerous times to get another copy of my file sent to me and I get hung up on every single time. The way people are treated in there is cruel and ridiculous. I got worse during my time in there. Don’t ever take anyone you love there.

After my daughter was here inpatient for a week, I PROMISED her she would never be back. In fact, after several things went wrong with her care, I drove down there and was determined to pick her up whether they were planning to discharge her or not. They were rude to her, didn’t take good care of her, didn’t tell her when THEY rescheduled family visits so she just thought we didn’t show up, etc. I could go on and on…

I don’t know about the inpatient program, I’d probably go to another hospital for inpatient because of all the reviews. Although there outpatient services are lovely. I saw rod falcon, he was very friendly, listened, and is definitely looking out for me. The only problem is setting up and appointment is hell! They never answer there phones, and don’t return voicemails. Other then the battle of just trying to set up an appointment I’d definitely recommend using there outpatient services. The lady at the front desk was very friendly as well.

I would urge anyone who is considering going to this facility to be «evaluated» to please contact me via private message. I can tell you that multiple people, including myself, were held against our will. In my case I needed to be stabilized on my medication after a severe bout of depression, and I checked myself in voluntarily after being told that after a possible 72 hour hold I would be able to be discharged. They actually didn’t initiate the 72 hour hold in my case because my assigned Psychiatrist didn’t apparently think it was therapeutically necessary. (I didn’t find this out until later — I actually assumed that I was on a 72 hour hold for the entire first 96 hours.)
I actually had a very restful and beneficial first few days there. In unit 2 I met a number of fellow patients who were mostly educated, professional or military. The nurses and front desk staff were — almost without exception — extremely kind, caring and helpful. The groups were educational, and the facility is clean and well-​maintained. The food is actually better than you might expect. The schedule is pretty permissive and there are lots of opportunities for phone calls and journalling and even socializing with fellow patients. Those are the things that allow me to give the facility one star.
After those first few days I felt much, much better. I was on an anti-​depressant and had worked through some of my goals for staying well in my journal and in group sessions. I was so glad I had reached out for help and felt very empowered by my decision. I waited until my scheduled appointment with the psychiatrist assigned to my unit and respectfully asked to be discharged since I had been there for about 96 hours at that point.
THAT’S when my nightmare officially began.
At this point, I was informed that I could NOT leave even though I was not on a hold of any kind and I was a self-​admit. I let the psychiatrist know, politely, that I would call the Douglas County Sheriff’s office to file a report stating that I was not being allowed to leave, and I asked him to agree NOT to place me on a 72 hour hold as a retaliation for calling the sheriff. He wrote down in my chart, very clearly, that he would not do that and he looked right into my eyes and said he would not place me on a hold for calling the sheriff. (He did ask, «Is retaliatory a word?» which still cracks me up.) I called the sheriff, a nurse met them downstairs and ushered them out without allowing me to see or speak to them and then I was immediately served with a 72 hour hold. I was informed that the reason for the hold was that I called the sheriff and lied about being held against my will, therefore I was not making sense and should be held for «my own safety». I looked the doctor right in the eyes and confronted him about the unexpected turn of events and he admitted to me that he wasn’t really concerned about my safety and yes, he placed the hold on me for calling the sheriff.
I was flabbergasted and genuinely scared since he told me he could initiate proceedings to have me committed with a review at 90 days. Yes, COMMITTED.
The calls from my attorney were not well received. He related to me that the psychiatrist went «hysterical» on him when they spoke and was afraid he was being harassed. One nurse in particular began to deny me the right to make or receive calls to my husband. In short, things got very uncomfortable although I maintained my polite and reasonable demeanor through all of it. I was finally released (as was the other woman who was admitted and held against her will) after about 24 hours of the 72 hour hold. I was able to remain calm in the face of some very scary prospects, but I would absolutely not recommend this facility to anyone suffering from depression since my own experience went from positive to negative so quickly.
Please, please be careful. If you even go in for an evaluation for their outpatient program, they can and will commit you if they see fit. Everyone needs help sometimes, but you may get a lot more than you bargained for!

This place is top notch. Very well run and the workers really care about what is going on.