Assisted Living in Colorado

Paying for Assisted Living in Colorado

The cost of assisted living in Colorado may fluctuate depending on whether or not the facility is licensed as an assisted living residence or an alternative care facility. Stays at assisted living residences are paid for privately by the resident or a family member.

However, an alternative care facility will accept a Medicaid home and community-based services waiver to help pay for care. In order to qualify for this option, adults must meet the program’s medical and financial criteria. The resident’s income must be less than $1,986 per month with countable resources equaling no more than $2,000 for a single person or $3,000 for a couple. Finally, applicants must be in need of and willing to receive services and assistance from assisted living facilities in Colorado.

Overview of Colorado Assisted Living

Colorado is known for its strikingly vivid landscape of mesas, plains, canyons and mountains. Coloradans have a myriad of outdoor activities at their fingertips, and are proud to have the lowest rates of obesity of any state in the country. The Centennial State is home to The Rocky Mountains, a very popular tourist destination for hiking, climbing, skiing, fishing and snowboarding.

Residents who choose assisted living in Colorado have over 500 facilities to choose from, and a variety of activities within their reach. If you’re a sports nut, the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies will keep you entertained all season long. If tranquility and relaxation are what you’re after, Colorado has six national monuments, 11 national forests, a selection of natural hot springs and one geyser to calm your spirit.

Assisted Living in Colorado Defined

The state of Colorado defines an assisted living facility as a residential facility that provides room and board, personal services, social care and protective oversight to adults who cannot live independently but do not require 24-hour skilled nursing care.

Facilities may be home to as little as three or as many as 200 beds, and the most common reasons for admission to Colorado assisted living communities are to provide medication management, supervision, protection and bathing and dressing assistance.

There are three types of assisted living facilities in Colorado:

• Private pay (or assisted living residence)
• Alternative care facilities
• Residential treatment facilities

Private pay is the general term used for an assisted living facility or residence. Alternative care facilities are residences that are Medicaid certified. Residential treatment facilities are for adults with severe and persistent mental illness.

Licensing of Colorado Assisted Living Facilities

In the state of Colorado, there are several types of facilities that provide care services for adults. Facilities that specifically provide assisted living services, such as bathing, grooming or supervision, for adults are called assisted living residences. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Health Facilities is charged with licensing and inspecting assisted living homes. 

Legislation of Colorado Assisted Living Facilities

On April 12, 2012, Colorado Governor Hickenlooper signed into law Senate Bill 23, which revised the language of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This bill now allows for increased education of the PACE program to eligible seniors and provides the option of switching from their current enrollment in a Medicaid program, such as an Accountable Care Collective (ACC), into PACE.

To demystify language of the PACE legislation, here are a few helpful terms.

• Managed Care describes a health care system that consolidates medical providers, such as hospitals, doctors or dentists, into one group to streamline costs and access to health care services for patients.
• PACE is an example of a managed care system that is funded by Medicare/Medicaid and provides health care and services to people who meet specific criteria, including being 55 years or older and need nursing facility level of care.
• Accountable Care Collaborative is a recent Medicaid program that is designed to also reduce costs and their client’s health. Clients belong to a Regional Care Collaborative Organization.
• An Enrollment Broker assists people in navigating Medicare/Medicaid to find the health plan that fits their needs and eligibility.