Colorado Medicaid Nursing Home Coverage
Colorado Medicaid — PACE / HCBS-SLS Waiver pays for nursing home care for income-eligible Colorado seniors. This guide covers eligibility rules, income and asset limits, the application process, required documents, and important rules families need to understand before applying.
Eligibility at a Glance
Income Limit
$2,742/mo
300% of SSI · Individual
Asset Limit
$2,000
Countable assets · Individual
Look-Back Period
5 Years
Asset transfer review
Spousal Assets Protected
$154,140
Community Spouse Resource Allowance
Spousal Income Protected
$3,854/mo
Min. Monthly Maintenance Allowance
Avg. Nursing Home Cost
$9,400/mo
Medicaid rate: ~$230/day
Colorado Nursing Home Medicaid Income Limit
Colorado nursing home Medicaid income limit: $2,742/month (300% of SSI in 2026). Colorado allows a Qualified Income Trust for incomes above this limit.
Colorado Nursing Home Medicaid Asset Limit
Colorado asset limit: $2,000 for an individual. Exempt: primary residence (if spouse/dependent or intent to return), one vehicle, burial funds $1,500, household goods. Community Spouse Resource Allowance up to $154,140.
Colorado 5-Year Look-Back Rule
Colorado Medicaid reviews all asset transfers made within 5 years (60 months) of the application date. Transfers for less than fair market value during this period may result in a penalty period during which Medicaid will not pay for nursing home care. Consult a Colorado elder law attorney before transferring any assets.
Important Colorado Nursing Home Medicaid Rules
InnovAge PACE (Denver/Colorado)
InnovAge is headquartered in Denver and operates one of the largest PACE programs in the US, serving the Denver metro, Colorado Springs, Sacramento (CA), and other markets. Colorado dual-eligible seniors aged 55+ can enroll in InnovAge PACE for all-inclusive care at no out-of-pocket cost. PACE is a comprehensive alternative to nursing home placement — covering medical care, personal care, day programs, medications, transportation, dental, and vision. Call InnovAge at 844-844-4061.
HCBS-SLS Waiver (Home-Based Alternative)
Colorado's Supported Living Services (SLS) waiver provides home and community-based services for eligible seniors as an alternative to nursing home placement. Colorado HCBS covers personal care, home health, adult day, and other supports. The SLS waiver may have waitlists in some Colorado counties.
Personal Needs Allowance
Colorado nursing home Medicaid residents keep $99/month as a Personal Needs Allowance — among the highest in the Mountain West. All other income is applied to the nursing facility as a Patient Pay Amount.
How to Apply for Colorado Nursing Home Medicaid
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF)
Phone: 800-221-3943 · Website: colorado.gov/hcpf
- 1Step 1 — Apply at your county Department of Human Services (DHS) or call Colorado Medicaid at 800-221-3943. Online: colorado.gov/hcpf.
- 2Step 2 — For nursing home admissions, the facility social worker typically assists with Medicaid application. Colorado nursing homes accept Medicaid-pending admissions.
- 3Step 3 — Colorado uses managed care for most Medicaid services. Nursing home coverage for dual-eligible seniors is often through Colorado ACCESS, Colorado Community Health Alliance, or other Regional Care Collaborative Organizations (RCCOs).
- 4Step 4 — InnovAge PACE (Denver metro) provides all-inclusive care for dual-eligible seniors as an alternative to nursing home placement — call 844-844-4061.
- 5Step 5 — Medicaid determinations take 45–90 days. Coverage backdates to the application date.
Documents Required for Colorado Nursing Home Medicaid
Gather these documents before starting your application. Missing documents are the #1 cause of application delays.
- Proof of Colorado residency
- Birth certificate or proof of age
- Social Security card and benefit letter
- Medicare card
- All income documentation
- Bank statements for prior 60 months
- Investment/retirement account statements
- Property deed (if applicable)
- Vehicle title
- Life insurance policies
- Medical records supporting nursing home level of care
* Gather 5 full years (60 months) of bank statements for ALL accounts. This is the single most common documentation gap in Medicaid nursing home applications.
Colorado Nursing Home Medicaid by the Numbers
223
Licensed Nursing Homes
20,000
Medicaid Beds
64%
Medicaid Bed %
$9,400
Avg Monthly Cost
Sources: CMS, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), 2026 data.
Is There a Waitlist for Colorado Nursing Home Medicaid?
Colorado HCBS waivers (SLS, PACE alternatives) may have waitlists. Nursing home Medicaid fee-for-service does NOT have a waitlist. InnovAge PACE serves the Denver metro with immediate enrollment (no waitlist) for dual-eligible seniors.
Find Medicaid-Accepting Nursing Homes in Colorado
Our care advisors can identify nursing homes in Colorado with open Medicaid beds and help you start the application process — no phone call required.
Colorado Nursing Home Medicaid FAQs
Does Colorado Medicaid cover nursing home care?▾
Yes — Colorado Medicaid covers skilled nursing facility care for income and asset-eligible seniors. Income limit: $2,742/month. Asset limit: $2,000. Apply through your county DHS or call 800-221-3943. Colorado's InnovAge PACE (Denver metro) provides all-inclusive care for dual-eligible seniors as an alternative to nursing home placement — call 844-844-4061.
What is InnovAge PACE and how does it work in Colorado?▾
InnovAge is a Denver-headquartered PACE program providing all-inclusive care for dual-eligible (Medicare + Medicaid) seniors aged 55+ who need nursing home level of care but prefer to remain in the community. InnovAge covers medical care, home care, day program, medications, dental, vision, and transportation at no cost for dual-eligible participants. InnovAge operates in the Denver metro, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and Pueblo. Call 844-844-4061.
What is the average cost of nursing home care in Colorado?▾
The average cost of nursing home care in Colorado is approximately $9,400/month ($313/day) for a semi-private room in 2026. Denver metro: $9,500–$12,000/month. Colorado Springs: $8,500–$10,500/month. Fort Collins: $9,000–$11,000/month. Grand Junction: $7,500–$9,000/month. Colorado costs have risen significantly in recent years due to healthcare labor inflation.
Does Colorado pursue Medicaid estate recovery?▾
Yes — Colorado pursues Medicaid estate recovery for nursing home costs paid after age 55. Recovery is from the probate estate. A surviving spouse defers recovery. Colorado elder law attorneys can advise on trust planning to limit exposure.
Are there waitlists for Colorado Medicaid home care?▾
Colorado HCBS waivers may have waitlists in some counties. Nursing home Medicaid does NOT have a waitlist. InnovAge PACE (Denver metro) currently has no waitlist for eligible dual-eligible seniors — it's immediate enrollment upon eligibility determination. For HCBS waiver applications, contact your county DHS.
What VA resources are available for Colorado veterans?▾
Colorado has major VA facilities including the Eastern Colorado VA Health Care System (Denver, 303-399-8020), Grand Junction VA Medical Center, and VA clinics in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Pueblo. Aid & Attendance provides up to $2,795/month for eligible veterans. The Colorado Department of Veterans Affairs has offices statewide at veterans.colorado.gov.
Related Colorado Medicaid Guides
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