NEW Colorado Home Care Program: What You Need to Know
NEW Colorado Home Care Program: What You Need to Know
Introduction
Starting July 1, 2025, Colorado launched a new home care program through Medicaid called Community First Choice (CFC). This program is designed to help people who qualify for Long-term Care Medicaid stay safely in their own homes instead of moving into a nursing facility. It’s one of the biggest changes to Colorado’s Medicaid long-term care system in years, and it may open new options for your family.
At Beneficent, we know these programs can feel confusing. Below, we’ll break down the essentials in plain language so you can decide whether this program might help your loved one.
What Is the New Program?
Community First Choice (CFC) is a new benefit under Health First Colorado (Medicaid). It gives people who need daily help access to in-home caregivers and supports. Think of it as a way to get the same kind of personal care someone might receive in a nursing home — but delivered right at home.
Who May Qualify?
Your loved one may be eligible if they:
Are already on Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
Need help with everyday activities at the level a nursing facility would provide (for example, assistance with bathing, eating, mobility, or medication reminders)
If your loved one is already on a Medicaid waiver, they can transition to this program during their annual review.
What Services Can Families Expect?
Families can expect support that makes day-to-day living easier and safer, such as:
Personal Care – help with bathing, dressing, using the restroom, eating, and moving around safely
Homemaker Services – light cleaning, laundry, meal prep, and errands like grocery shopping
Health-Related Support – medication reminders, wound care, and teaching daily living skills
Safety Technology – personal emergency response buttons, medication reminders, or home-delivered meals
Transition Assistance – covering move-in costs if someone is moving out of a facility back into the community
How Services Are Delivered
One of the biggest benefits of this new program is choice:
You can use an agency, which sends licensed caregivers to the home.
Or, you can direct the care yourself — hiring and managing your own caregiver (sometimes even a trusted family member).
This flexibility gives families more control over who provides care and how it’s done.
Why This Matters for Families
No waitlists: Unlike many waiver programs, CFC is an entitlement. If your loved one qualifies, they can begin receiving services right away.
More independence: This program is designed to help people remain at home, surrounded by family, rather than in a facility.
Financial relief: Medicaid covers the costs, easing the financial burden on families who may otherwise struggle to afford care.
How to Get Started
If you’re wondering whether your loved one may qualify, here are next steps:
At Beneficent, we specialize in helping families understand programs like this, navigate the paperwork, and secure approval as quickly as possible.
Schedule an initial consult here.
Final Thoughts
Colorado’s new home care program (CFC) is a positive step for families — offering more flexibility, quicker access to services, and the ability for loved ones to remain at home.
If you’re unsure whether your parent or loved one qualifies, reach out. We’ll walk you through eligibility, and help manage the application process from start to finish.