In-home support services in Colorado helps families manage the care services they need to live safely and independently at home. The program is funded through Colorado’s Medicaid program Health First Colorado.
Members can select a caregiver through a local home care agency. The IHSS program even allows family members to become caregivers if they complete state-approved training and meet the agency's other employment requirements.
Applicants must require either personal care, health maintenance, or homemaker services to qualify for the program. Currently Health First Colorado members that are eligible for a waiver that includes in-home support services, such as CHCBS, CIH or EBD, may also qualify.
Colorado IHSS benefits:
Visit your case management agency to apply for in-home support services in Colorado. The following Home and Community-Based Services waivers support the IHSS program:
Children with complex medical conditions or disabilities and those who require skilled nursing services may qualify for the Children's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver. To be eligible, the child must meet the Social Security Administration's criteria for disability and require services provided at an acute hospital.
Only children under 18 can qualify for this type of waiver. The income requirement is three times the current Supplemental Security Income limit per month, and the child's countable resources must not exceed $2,000.
Contact your local Case Management Agency. Use this directory. Select your county and the agency's contact information. Then, speak to the agent, who can assess your child's eligibility for the program.
When your child qualifies for the waiver, they may also be eligible to receive benefits through Health First Colorado-covered services. Its basic benefits include:
You can consult with your agency to determine which services your child qualifies for. The coverage may include more services, such as emergency care and durable medical equipment. Note that some services may also have a co-pay, which means you'll be responsible for a portion of the expenses.
Children with spinal cord injuries or muscular dystrophy may qualify for Complementary and Integrative Health Waiver (CIH).
Eligible applicants can receive massage therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic services. There is no waitlist for this waiver, which means no delay. Once approved, you can access the service immediately.
To qualify for the Home and Community-Based Services Complementary and Integrative Health waiver, you must meet the eligibility requirements below.
If you meet the eligibility requirements listed above and have already applied for Colorado's Medicaid Program, start the waiver application process. If you have additional questions about this waiver, you may also contact your case management agency or the Member Contact Center. Our team at Abby Care can also help.
Eligible applicants can also use these services:
IHSS is also available through this type of waiver, which provides care assistance to eligible older adults aged 65 and older. Seniors must have a significant functional impairment, like blindness, to qualify for the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Waiver. Applicants 18-64 years old may also apply if they were diagnosed with HIV or AIDS, are physically disabled and require long-term support.
To qualify for the waiver, applicants must also meet the financial requirements: income must not exceed three times the current Supplemental Security Income per month, and countable resources must be less than $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for couples. Those who don't meet the financial requirements can apply for the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Adults with Disabilities.
Visit your local agency to apply for this type of waiver.
After contacting your local case management agency, you'll meet with a case manager who will complete your needs assessment. The case manager will also provide you with a list of IHSS agencies in your area and send your referral and paperwork to the available agency.
The agency will review the paperwork and set up an intake assessment before creating a care plan. Your case manager then checks the care plan and approves it. In the event that you are applying for Health Maintenance Activity services you will also need the approval of Telligen, Medicaid third party evaluator. After approval of your enrollment, your case manager will share the authorization, which contains authorized services and your approved total number of hours, with your home care agency. Your agency will officially hire the caregiver, but you can also participate in the selection process.
In-home support services can help children with special needs, older adults, and other eligible individuals live independently in their homes. Enrolled applicants can also use additional services, such as transportation and peer mentorship.
Our team at Abby Care helps family members who wish to become caregivers. We also assist you with the payment process, ensuring you get paid for the services. Contact us today to learn more about IHSS and the many other family caregiver programs we can support you with.
https://ilrcco.org/in-home-support-services
https://hcpf.colorado.gov/in-home-support-services
https://consumerdirectco.com/ihss-seven-steps-to-enrollment/
https://hcpf.colorado.gov/childrens-home-and-community-based-services-waiver-chcbs
https://www.healthfirstcolorado.com/benefits-services/#mental-behavioral
https://hcpf.colorado.gov/complementary-integrative-health-waiver-cih
