CO Children's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver

In healthcare, Medicaid waivers are vital in providing additional benefits to those in need. The Children's Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS) Waiver is a program available under Colorado's Medicaid initiative, Health First Colorado. Targeted at children with significant medical needs and the risk of institutional care, CHCBS offers services that help families and communities support their loved ones at home. Understanding the eligibility criteria and the range of benefits this program provides is crucial for those seeking long-term support services for their children.

Overview of Children's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver

The Children's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver targets children who meet the definition of disability as set by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and who require medical care typically provided in skilled nursing facilities or acute hospitals. To be eligible, children must also meet specific financial criteria, including income limitations and resource thresholds.

CHCBS strives to enhance the lives of children and their families by working in tandem with existing Health First Colorado covered services and other public programs. The waiver aims to improve the overall well-being of care recipients by offering comprehensive case management and in-home support services. By doing so, CHCBS seeks to alleviate the burden on families and promote better community integration and care for kids with complex medical needs.

Eligibility Requirements for Children's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver

To qualify for the Children's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (CHCBS), children must meet specific criteria that ensure they have significant medical needs and require long-term support services. The eligibility requirements include:

1. Age Criteria: The child must be under 18 at the time of application.
2. Medical Need: The child must require medical care typically provided in skilled nursing facilities or acute hospitals. This need must be at a level comparable to the services offered in these institutional settings.
3. Social Security Administration (SSA) Definition of Disability: The child must meet the SSA's definition of disability, which includes physical or mental impairment significantly limiting their daily living activities.
4. Financial Criteria: The child's income must be under three times the Federal Supplemental Security Income monthly limit, and their countable resources must be less than $2,000.
5. Health First Colorado Eligibility: The child must not be eligible for Health First Colorado based on their income and/or resources alone.

Meeting these eligibility requirements does not guarantee immediate access to the waiver program, as some services may have waitlists. However, once accepted into the CHCBS waiver, children become eligible for a range of services that support their well-being and allow them to remain in their homes and communities.

Services and Supports under Children's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver

The Children's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (CHCBS) offers services that aim to enable children to remain in their homes and communities while receiving the necessary care and assistance. The range of services and supports provided under the CHCBS waiver includes:

1. Case Management Services: A dedicated case manager works closely with the child and their family to assess needs, develop a personalized care plan, coordinate services, and ensure access to necessary resources.
2. In-Home Support Services: This includes a variety of home-based services such as skilled nursing care, personal care assistance, and therapy services tailored to the child's specific medical requirements.
3. Respite Care: Temporary relief care is available for caregivers, providing them with short breaks from their caregiving responsibilities.
4. Assistive Technology and Adaptive Aids: Access to assistive devices and aids that enhance the child's independence and functional abilities.
5. Home and Vehicle Modifications: Financial assistance for necessary modifications to the child's home or vehicle to accommodate their unique needs.
6. Community Transition Services: Support during transitions, such as moving from an institutional setting back to the community.
7. Behavioral Services: Behavioral interventions and therapies to address emotional and behavioral challenges.
8. Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies: Provision of medical equipment and supplies necessary for the child's care.
9. Transportation Assistance: Help with transportation to medical appointments and community activities.
10. Personal Emergency Response Systems: Access to emergency response systems to ensure immediate help is available when needed.

Compensation for Family Caregivers

The CHCBS Waiver does compensate unpaid family caregivers through a self-directed option. This innovative approach allows eligible families to control their child's care by hiring and managing their caregivers, including family members. Through the self-directed option, family caregivers can receive payment for their care, acknowledging their valuable role in supporting their loved ones. This compensation recognizes the critical contribution of family caregivers and aims to alleviate the financial burden they may face while caring for children with significant medical needs. The self-directed option empowers families to tailor the care to the child's specific needs while fostering a sense of dignity and independence in the caregiving process.

Learn more about Medicaid self-directed care >>

A note from Givers

Caregivers play a pivotal role in supporting their loved one's well-being. If you are a family caregiver for a child with significant medical needs, take a step towards knowing if you are eligible for compensation by filling out this form today.

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