Colorado Medicaid & Elder Care
Colorado's Health First Colorado offers robust Home and Community-Based Services waivers for seniors, though strict income and asset limits often necessitate Miller Trusts for eligibility.
Medicaid Report Card
Overall State Performance Index
Based on CMS Nursing Home Compare + state Medicaid agency data
View Methodology arrow_forwardColorado Monthly Costs
Colorado's average nursing home costs in 2026 are approximately $10,200 per month, which is slightly higher than the national average of $9,945 for a semi-private room.
Waiver Programs
Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for persons who are Elderly, Blind, or Disabled (EBD)
Also called: HCBS-EBD
The EBD Waiver provides Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to eligible Colorado residents who are elderly (65+), blind, or disabled, and require a nursing home level of care to remain in their homes or communities. It offers an alternative to institutionalization by covering a range of long-term services and supports.
- check_circle Adult Day Services
- check_circle Complementary and Integrative Health Services (Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Massage Therapy)
- check_circle Home Delivered Meals
- check_circle Home Modification
- check_circle Homemaker Services
- check_circle In-Home Support Services (IHSS)
- check_circle Life Skills Training
- check_circle Medication Reminder
- check_circle Non-Medical Transportation
- check_circle Peer Mentorship
- check_circle Personal Care
- check_circle Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)
- check_circle Respite Care
- check_circle Transition Set Up
insights Program Snapshot
- Functional criterion
- Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC)
- Administered by
- Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
- Age
- 65+ or 18-64 with physical disability, blindness, or HIV/AIDS
- Self-direction
- Available for some services like Personal Care and Homemaker Services
2026 Eligibility Requirements
| Criteria | Individual Limit | Married (Both Applying) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Income | $2,982 | $5,964 |
| Asset Limit | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Home Equity Limit | $1,130,000 | |
| Level of Care | Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC) | |
Estate Recovery Warning
Colorado's Estate Recovery Program is aggressive, seeking reimbursement for long-term care costs from a deceased Medicaid recipient's estate. While liens may be placed on homes, recovery is typically delayed for surviving spouses or certain dependent children, and hardship waivers are possible.
Spend-Down & Asset Protection
PROTECTED ASSETS
COMMON PITFALLS
- warning Look-back Period: Gifts or transfers for less than fair market value within 60 months prior to application can trigger a penalty period.
- warning Excess Income: Failing to establish a Miller Trust if monthly income exceeds the Medicaid cap will result in ineligibility.
- warning Joint Accounts: The full balance of jointly owned bank accounts may be counted as the applicant's asset unless proven otherwise.
First Steps for Families
Locate your ADRC
Contact your local Colorado Aging and Disability Resource Center.
Gather 5 years of records
Bank statements, deeds, asset transfers for the Medicaid look-back period.
Financial assessment
Consult a Medicaid planner if assets exceed $2,000.
Resource Contact
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
How to Apply for Colorado Long-Term Care Medicaid
Assess Level of Care
Obtain a medical certification demonstrating the need for a nursing home level of care through a Single Entry Point (SEP) agency.
Gather Financial Records
Collect five years of bank statements, investment accounts, property deeds, and records of any asset transfers.
Establish Miller Trust (if needed)
If monthly income exceeds the Medicaid cap, set up an Income Trust (Miller Trust) to become income-eligible.
Submit Application
Apply for Long-Term Care Medicaid through your local county Department of Human Services (DHS) office or the Health First Colorado Member Contact Center.
Attend Interviews
Participate in required caseworker evaluations and assessments to determine financial and functional eligibility.
Receive Determination & Care
Upon approval, benefits will be activated, and long-term care services can commence.
Documents You'll Need
Financial Verification
- 5 years of bank statements
- Investment and retirement account statements
- Life insurance policies (cash values)
- Records of gifts or transfers
Income Verification
- Social Security award letters
- Pension statements
- VA benefit statements
- Alimony or other income proof
Medical/Identity
- Social Security card
- Medicare card
- Birth certificate or proof of citizenship
- Doctor's clinical assessments/diagnoses
Property/Residency
- Home deed
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of Colorado residency (e.g., utility bills, ID with address)
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Medicaid
Does Colorado Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Colorado Medicaid, known as Health First Colorado, offers Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, such as the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) waiver, which can cover services provided in assisted living facilities. However, these waivers typically do not cover the cost of room and board in assisted living, only the care services themselves. Individuals must meet financial and functional eligibility criteria, including a nursing facility level of care, to qualify for these benefits.
What is the Colorado Medicaid income limit for seniors in 2026?
For seniors applying for long-term care Medicaid in Colorado in 2026, the monthly income limit for a single individual is $2,982. For married couples where both are applying, the combined income limit is $5,964. If an individual's income exceeds this cap, they may still qualify by establishing an Income Trust, also known as a Miller Trust, to deposit their excess income.
How long is the HCBS waiver waitlist in Colorado?
While Colorado's Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers are crucial for enabling seniors to receive care at home, specific waitlist data for programs like the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) waiver is not consistently published. Some waivers may have waitlists, but the exact number of individuals waiting or the typical wait time is generally unknown. It is recommended to contact a local Case Management Agency for the most current information.
Will Medicaid take my parent's house in Colorado?
Colorado's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) can seek reimbursement for long-term care costs from a deceased Medicaid recipient's estate, which may include their home. The state can place a lien on the property. However, recovery is typically delayed if a surviving spouse, a child under 21, or a permanently blind or disabled child resides in the home. There are also provisions for hardship waivers.
Can I be paid to care for my parent through Colorado Medicaid?
Yes, Colorado Medicaid offers programs that allow eligible individuals to be paid for providing care to their parents. Through Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS), participants in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers can hire and manage their own caregivers, which can include family members. This provides flexibility and allows individuals to choose who provides their personal care and homemaker services.
Medicaid vs Medicare for long-term care in Colorado?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for individuals aged 65 or older, or those with certain disabilities, but it offers very limited coverage for long-term custodial care. In contrast, Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) is a joint state and federal program that provides comprehensive coverage for long-term care services, including nursing home care and Home and Community-Based Services, for eligible seniors who meet specific income and asset limits.
TOPICAL GUIDES — HOW MEDICAID WORKS
EXPLORE COLORADO
Last updated: April 24, 2026. Sources: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, CMS Nursing Home Compare, Genworth 2024 Cost of Care Survey. Eligibility rules are set by each state Medicaid agency and update annually. We cite the agency name, statute, or CMS data source for every figure on this page; see our methodology and editor.