Financial Resources for Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs

Public Funding | National Medicaid and Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado)

Medicaid is a program, funded by the federal and state governments, which pays for medical care for low-income people and those with special health care needs who are eligible for specific programs.  Health First Colorado is the name of Colorado’s Medicaid program.  Child Health Plan Plus is a low-cost insurance program for children and pregnant women who do not qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.

 Medicaid waivers enable people (including children) who wouldn’t otherwise qualify for Medicaid due to income or assets to access Medicaid benefits even if the person already has private insurance. In the case of families, parental income is not considered for eligibility. Only a child’s assets or income is considered. Therefore, many children with extraordinary health care needs qualify for Medicaid waivers because they have few assets. A child must have institutional-level care requirements to be eligible for these waivers.

For help in knowing how to see if your child might qualify for Medicaid or any of the waivers, you can start with  How to apply for Health First Colorado or Child Health Plan Plus

Health First Colorado Buy-In The Medicaid Buy-In Program for Children with Disabilities (Children’s Buy-In) is a medical assistance program that will provide Medicaid benefits for children who are under age 19, have a qualifying disability, and whose adjusted family income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).  There is also a program for Working Adults with Disabilities.

COLORADO MEDICAID WAIVERS

Colorado’s Medicaid Waivers are administered through the Department of Health Care, Policy and Financing.  You can access specific information through the following links:

Adult Programs, including Medicaid Waiver Programs

Children’s Programs, including Medicaid Waiver Programs

Information for Parents and Caregivers

Physical and Developmental Disabilities (Children and Adults)

Behavioral Health Servicesand Providers  (All children and adults covered by Health First Colorado are eligible for behavioral health services)

You can find charts that compare the different Medicaid Waiver options for children and adults on the Long Term Services and SupportsTraining page.  These charts are helpful to find out who to contact for eligibility and other questions about Medicaid waivers.

COLORADO MEDICAID RESOURCES

Colorado Financial Programs – a listing of different programs available in Colorado.

Community Centered Boards (CCB) manage and deliver services, in partnership with private service providers, to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families throughout the state of Colorado. The CCB case manages specific Medicaid waiver programs for children and adults.  Each CCB operates in a designated geographic area.

Consumer Directed Attendant Services (CDASS) Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) is a Medicaid benefit under the Home and Community Based Services that allows clients to manage their attendant services.

Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic & Treatment (EPSDT) are services provided to youth who are Medicaid eligible.

In-Home Support Services – Available for people enrolled in the HCBS-EBD or Children’s HCBS Waiver program who want more choice and control in their home care.

Transportation to Medicaid services appointments – may be provided if no other transportation resources are available.

National Resources

Understanding Medicaid Home and Community Services: A Primer

National Financial Programs – a listing of different programs available in the United States.

Supplemental Security Income

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources.  Social Security Income (SSI) is very different from SSDI (Social Security Disability Income), which is for adults who become disabled after working and contributing to Social Security benefits. 

• To find your local Social Security Office, click here. 

Private Funding

AT Funding Sources: AT Funding Sources is a searchable online database tool. It is provided to assist people with disabilities in locating needed funding to purchase Assistive Technology devices and services for their specific needs.

Colorado Lions Club: The Lions Club gives direct financial help to individuals who need help with hearing, vision care or glasses.

Case Management Agency (CMA) Services:  RMHS provides case management for Long-Term Services and Supports in Denver and Adams Counties for children and adults with various types of disabilities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), physical and functional impairments related to brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, mental health challenges, aging adults, and more.

Friends of Man:  A nonprofit, tax-exempt charity using 100% of donations for charitable assistance. They work through Referring Professionals (caseworkers, case managers, health care workers, social workers, counselors, teachers, clergy) who apply on behalf of their patients and clients needing mobility equipment, prosthetics, glasses, dentures, hearing aids, and much more!