Colorado Medicaid for Senior Care
Complete guide to Medicaid eligibility, coverage, and application process for nursing homes, assisted living, and home care in Colorado.
7.6 million Medicaid long-term care recipients nationwide
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
Processing Time
45-90 days standard, expedited processing available for urgent situations
Colorado Medicaid Eligibility Requirements (2026)
To qualify for Medicaid long-term care in Colorado, applicants must meet both financial eligibility criteria (income and assets) and medical criteria (level of care needs). Colorado follows federal Medicaid guidelines with some state-specific variations.
Income Limits
Individual Applicant
$2,982/month
Married Couple (One Applying)
$5,964/month (both applying)
Income includes Social Security, pensions, annuities, interest, dividends, and rental income.
Asset Limits
Individual Applicant
$2,000
Community Spouse (At-Home Spouse)
$162,660 (community spouse)
Primary residence, one vehicle, personal belongings, and prepaid burial arrangements are exempt from asset limits.
5-Year Look-Back Period
Colorado Medicaid reviews all financial transactions for the 60 months prior to application. Asset transfers or gifts during this period can result in a penalty period of Medicaid ineligibility. The penalty is calculated by dividing the transferred amount by $9,475/month average (semi-private), $10,433/month (private) (the average monthly nursing home cost in Colorado).
Medical Eligibility
Applicants must demonstrate need for nursing facility level of care through a state assessment. This typically requires assistance with 2-3 Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, eating) or cognitive impairment requiring supervision.
Assessments are performed by state-designated evaluators (nurses or social workers) and typically take 45-90 minutes. The assessment can occur at home, in a hospital, or at the care facility.
What Medicaid Covers in Colorado
Nursing Home Care
Medicaid pays 100% of nursing home costs in Colorado once eligibility is established. The average monthly cost is $9,475/month average (semi-private), $10,433/month (private). Recipients contribute most of their monthly income toward care costs, keeping only $50-75 for personal needs.
Coverage includes room, board, 24-hour nursing care, meals, medications, therapy services, and all medical care provided at the facility.
Assisted Living Coverage
Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) Waiver: Colorado's EBD Waiver covers assisted living services including personal care and case management for individuals residing in assisted living facilities, but does not cover room and board costs. Has limited enrollment slots with a waiting list when full.
Note: This program covers personal care services but does not cover room and board costs. Residents need approximately $1,500-$2,500/month from Social Security or other income to cover housing expenses.
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers
Colorado offers 2 HCBS waiver programs that provide in-home care and community services as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) Waiver
Serves individuals age 65+, blind persons, or adults age 18-64 with physical disabilities or HIV/AIDS who are at risk of nursing home admission. Provides assisted living services, adult day care, home modifications, non-medical transportation, and respite care. Does not cover room and board.
Program Details →Community First Choice (CFC)
New program launched July 1, 2025, providing personal care services, homemaker services, and other supports. EBD Waiver members transition to CFC during their Continued Stay Review between 7/1/2025-6/30/2026.
Program Details →How to Apply for Medicaid in Colorado
Colorado Medicaid applications typically take 45-90 days standard, expedited processing available for urgent situations. Starting the process early and submitting complete documentation helps avoid delays.
Application Methods
You can apply for Medicaid in Colorado through:
- Online through PEAK (Colorado PEAK website)
- Call 1-800-221-3943
- Mail application to local county office
- In-person at county office
- Through nursing facility
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Before starting your application, collect:
- •Birth certificate and Social Security card
- •Proof of citizenship (passport, naturalization)
- •5 years of bank statements
- •Investment and retirement account statements
- •Property deeds and mortgage statements
- •Life insurance policies
- •Social Security award letter
- •Pension benefit statements
- •Medicare card
- •Doctor's statement of care needs
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Complete and submit your application through one of the methods listed above. If applying online or by mail, keep copies of all submitted documents.
Step 3: Medical Assessment
A state assessor will evaluate level of care needs. This assessment typically takes 45-90 minutes and covers functional abilities, medical needs, cognitive status, and safety concerns.
Step 4: Financial Review
Medicaid staff review all financial documents and investigate any transfers or gifts made in the past 60 months. They may request additional documentation during this process.
Step 5: Receive Determination
You'll receive written notification of approval or denial. Approved applications include the effective date of coverage (often retroactive up to 3 months), patient responsibility amount, and covered services.
Get Free Application Help
Free Medicaid application assistance is available in Colorado from:
- •Area Agency on Aging: Call 1-800-677-1116 (Eldercare Locator) to find your local office
- •SHIP counselors: Free Medicare/Medicaid counseling
- •Nursing facility social workers: In-facility application support
- •Elder law attorneys: Paid help for complex financial situations ($2,000-$5,000)
Colorado-Specific Programs and Resources
Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust)
If income exceeds $2,982/month, a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) is needed to qualify for long-term care Medicaid.
Learn MoreHealth First Colorado Nurse Advice Line
Free 24/7 medical advice available at 1-800-283-3221 for Health First Colorado members.
Learn MoreNeed Help with Colorado Medicaid?
Contact Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing for specific questions about eligibility, application status, or covered services.