Medicaid, a government-funded health insurance program, provides eligible low-income Americans with health coverage. These groups may include elderly adults, children, pregnant women and people with disabilities. In Colorado, Medicaid is known as Health First Colorado. Coloradans who participate in this program may receive a variety of medically necessary services, such as doctor visits, hospital visits, emergency care, wellness services and rehabilitative services.
Colorado residents may receive Medicaid coverage if they have an annual pretax household income that’s below the state’s Medicaid income limits, which are $16,146 for individuals or $21,892 for a couple.
Seniors can use the Colorado PEAK portal to check eligibility for Medicaid or apply for coverage. Seniors may apply in person at the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (DHS) office or call (800) 221-3943.
Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver
In Colorado, the Elderly, Blind and Disabled (EBD) waiver, may help eligible seniors pay for the care they receive in assisted living facilities. However, it does not cover the costs of room and board.
To participate in the EBD waiver program, seniors must require the level of care that is provided in nursing homes. They must be able to safely receive their care at home or in an assisted living facility. Seniors’ monthly income must be less than three times the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) limit. Currently, the federal SSI limit is $772 per month, so seniors must earn less than $2,316 to participate in the waiver program. The waiver program also has a resource limit: $2,000 for single seniors and $3,000 for couples.
Enrollment for the EBD waiver is managed by local Single Entry Point (SEP) agencies. The SEP for Centennial is Colorado Access. Seniors can call (877) 710-9993 to apply through this agency. Those who aren’t yet enrolled in Health First Colorado need to apply for it first.