RESPITE CARE SERVICES PROVIDER IN COLORADO

Fatumata Kaba
1 day ago
3 min read

PROVIDING TEMPORARY RELIEF FOR CAREGIVERS WHILE ENSURING CONTINUITY OF SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES OR CHRONIC CONDITIONS

Respite Care Services in Colorado offer short-term relief to primary caregivers by providing temporary care and supervision for individuals with disabilities, complex health needs, or age-related challenges. These services are available through Colorado Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, including the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) waiver, Supported Living Services (SLS) waiver, Children’s Extensive Support (CES) waiver, and others.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF)

Role: Administers Medicaid and HCBS waivers that authorize and reimburse Respite Care Services

Agency: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)** (if medical or personal care is involved)

Role: Licenses agencies that provide skilled or hands-on care in the home

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures federal compliance with Medicaid-funded respite services

2. RESPITE CARE SERVICE OVERVIEW

Respite Care Services provide planned or emergency short-term care to individuals when their regular caregiver is unavailable or in need of a break. Services can be provided in-home, in the community, or in a licensed setting depending on the waiver and individual’s needs.

Approved providers may deliver:

In-home supervision and companionship
Personal care support (bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting)
Safety monitoring and mobility assistance
Basic ADL support and meal preparation
Community outings or structured activities (if approved)
Documentation of time and services provided

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Colorado Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
If providing personal care or health-related assistance, obtain a Class B Home Care Agency license from CDPHE
Enroll as a Medicaid provider through the Gainwell Technologies Provider Portal
Employ trained respite staff or caregivers with appropriate background checks
Carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance
Maintain HIPAA-compliant documentation systems

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register your business and apply for an NPI

Step 2: Apply for a Class B license (if applicable) through CDPHE

Step 3: Enroll in Medicaid via the Gainwell Technologies Provider Enrollment Portal

Step 4: Connect with Case Management Agencies (CMAs) to begin receiving service authorizations

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or business registration
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
CDPHE Class B license (if applicable)
Medicaid provider ID
Policy & procedure manual including:
- Client intake and eligibility confirmation
- Consent forms and caregiver instructions
- Task and time logs for each respite session
- Emergency contact protocol and safety procedures
- Confidentiality, abuse prevention, and grievance policies
- Staff supervision and training documentation
- Incident reporting procedures and service verification tools

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Respite Caregiver / Direct Support Professional (DSP)Requirements:

High school diploma or GED (recommended)
Background check and TB screening
CPR/First Aid certification (required if providing personal care)
Experience working with individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions preferred

Role: Program Supervisor (for agencies)Requirements:

Oversight of staff, scheduling, and service documentation
Experience in caregiving, home health, or human services

Training Requirements for All Staff:

HIPAA, confidentiality, and client rights
Person-centered care principles
Safety and infection control
Abuse prevention and emergency response
Documentation and time-tracking procedures

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Respite Care is reimbursed under:

HCBS-EBD (Elderly, Blind, and Disabled) Waiver
HCBS-SLS (Supported Living Services) Waiver
HCBS-CES (Children’s Extensive Support) Waiver
HCBS-DD (Developmental Disabilities) Waiver
Other Medicaid waivers that include respite in the participant’s plan

Approved providers may deliver:

Planned or emergency in-home or community-based respite
Non-medical supervision and personal assistance
Care continuity while relieving the primary caregiver
Coordination and communication with CMAs and case managers

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: Licensing with CDPHE (if applicable)

Timeline: 45–90 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment via Gainwell

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Referral Activation and Staff Onboarding

Timeline: Ongoing

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) – Facility Licensing

Phone: (303) 692-2800

Website: https://cdphe.colorado.gov

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF)

Email: hcpf_hcbs_questions@state.co.us

Website: https://hcpf.colorado.gov

Colorado Medicaid Provider Enrollment (Gainwell Technologies)

Website: https://portal.co.gov

RESPITE CARE SERVICES PROVIDER IN COLORADO

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — COLORADO RESPITE CARE SERVICES PROVIDER

We help caregivers, home care agencies, and service professionals establish Medicaid-compliant Respite Care Services across Colorado’s HCBS waiver system.

Scope of Work: