Medicaid-Funded IHSS & HCBS Programs

Medicaid-funded In-Home Support Services (IHSS) and Home and Community-Based Services Waivers (HCBS) programs empower you to take control of the care for your medically fragile loved one without the need for institutionalization. These programs cover a wide range of care, including everything from daily personal care and household assistance to medical care, ensuring that all aspects of your loved one’s needs are fully addressed.

In addition, these programs help ease the financial burden of caring for a medically fragile person by covering the pay for caregivers. This ensures that caregivers are fairly compensated for providing quality, compassionate in-home care, allowing loved ones to remain comfortably at home.

Our team at Alpenglow Homecare will be your partner in this journey and help you create a personalized and adaptable care plan that meets your loved one’s needs.

A person may be eligible for the IHSS program if they are a Colorado Medicaid member and qualify for an HCBS waiver. This means you must meet the state's definition of needing an institutional level of care and financial criteria to qualify for the program.

IHSS is available in the following Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers:

• Children's Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS) waiver: CHCBS is designed for children with significant medical needs who are at risk of requiring care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. This program offers additional benefits under Colorado's Medicaid and complements the support provided by caregivers.
• Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) waiver: CIH waiver supports people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, brain injuries, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy who are unable to walk independently. In addition to standard community-based services, you may also be able to access acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy for your loved ones.

The IHSS program in Colorado, supported by Medicaid, is a valuable resource for families caring for medically fragile loved ones. It offers support that empowers you to continue providing exceptional care for your loved ones.

• Financial Assistance: The program helps alleviate the financial burden of caring for a medically fragile person by covering the costs of in-home care services. This allows you to receive pay for the care you provide. 
• Guidance and Support: At Alpenglow Homecare, we provide ongoing guidance and resources to help you feel confident in your role as a caregiver. We ensure you have the tools and knowledge needed to succeed and help design the right plan of care that works for your loved one.
• Self-Management of Care: IHSS empowers you to take control of your loved one's care by allowing you to manage personal care and health maintenance services for them. 

An HCBS waiver is an additional set of benefits under Colorado's Medicaid program, Health First Colorado, that your loved one may qualify for under certain circumstances, such as disability and living situation. These benefits help your loved one stay at home or in a supported living environment.

Colorado’s Medicaid program offers six waiver programs for adults and four for children, each with its own eligibility criteria related to disabilities, personal needs, housing, and finances.

Application processes vary, and some programs have waiting lists. However, your loved one may qualify for multiple waivers, so you can select the program that best suits their needs.

If your medically fragile loved one qualifies for a waiver, they can receive a range of benefits and services, such as recreational programs, medical and professional care, personal care, and behavioral support.

Since each waiver offers different services, it's important to find the one that best fits the needs of your loved one.

To enroll your loved one for the HCBS waivers, contact our team in Colorado. We will guide you through the entire process, from initial assessment to enrollment.

Here’s what you can expect as part of the process:

• Initial Assessment: We will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your loved one's needs to determine eligibility for Medicaid programs and appropriate services.
• Care Plan Development: We will work with you to create a personalized care plan that addresses your loved one's specific needs and preferences.
• Enrollment Assistance: We will assist you with the enrollment process for Medicaid and the appropriate HCBS waiver program.
• Caregiver Support: We will provide you with resources and ongoing support to help you deliver quality care to your loved one.

At Alpenglow Homecare, we understand the challenges of caring for a loved one and the importance of finding the right resources. We are committed to providing compassionate, personalized support to your family, allowing your loved one to maintain independence and dignity at home.

Our team is available to answer all your questions about the care planning process and the available Medicaid programs. You can also learn more about these programs on Colorado’s Department of Health Care Policy and Financing website.

Contact us to schedule your free initial consultation and take the first step towards accessing Medicaid-funded in-home care services tailored to your needs. To contact our office in Aurora, CO, please call 720-812-9555 or request an appointment online.