How does the Colorado Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Program work?

Colorado’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program helps people with disabilities receive Medicaid-funded support at home or in community settings instead of institutions. These services are offered through waiver programs under Health First Colorado, and they may include personal care, behavioral supports, respite, and case management. In most cases, eligibility requires Medicaid enrollment and meeting financial, medical, and functional criteria for a specific waiver.

What are Colorado HCBS waivers?

Colorado HCBS waivers are extra Medicaid benefits that go beyond standard Health First Colorado coverage. Key waivers include the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) waiver, the Children’s Extensive Support (CES) waiver, and the Community Mental Health Supports (CMHS) waiver. You can review the full list through Colorado’s HCBS waivers overview.

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Who qualifies for Colorado HCBS?

To qualify, generally you must:

• Be enrolled in Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
• Meet financial and medical eligibility requirements
• Need a level of care that would otherwise qualify for institutional services
• Meet the criteria for the specific waiver

Some waivers may also have waitlists, which is a reason families are often encouraged to apply early. If you are sorting through different state support options, Alpaca’s guide to Medicaid waivers in Colorado can help put the pieces together.

What services are covered?

Covered services vary by waiver, but common supports include:

• Personal care and daily living support
• Homemaker services
• Behavioral supports
• Respite care
• Case management

Colorado also uses different service models, including consumer-directed care and agency-based supports. For a broader overview, Medicaid explains how home and community-based services work across states.

For some autistic children, the CES waiver may help cover behavioral supports that complement other services. Families exploring both waiver support and therapy can also review Alpaca’s insurance coverage page.

How do families apply for Colorado HCBS services?

The process usually starts with confirming enrollment in Health First Colorado. From there, families typically contact a case management agency or the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, complete a functional needs assessment, and, if eligible, work with a case manager to build a person-centered care plan.

How do HCBS waivers connect to ABA therapy?

HCBS waivers and ABA therapy are separate benefits, and some families may qualify for both. For example, a child might receive daily living or respite support through a waiver while also accessing behavioral therapy through Medicaid.

If you are trying to understand how these options fit together, Alpaca’s guides to Colorado Medicaid through Buy-In programs and waivers and Medicaid waivers in Colorado can help.

More Colorado autism resources

• Autism-friendly and special education schools in Colorado Springs
• Colorado school options for parents
• Medicaid waivers in Colorado
• How to access Colorado Medicaid through Buy-In programs and waivers

If you are interested in exploring care options, start an ABA intake with Alpaca Health.

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