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HCBS Public Comment Opportunities

The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Public Comment Opportunities page allows stakeholders to provide input to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) on proposed 1915(c) HCBS waiver changes. HCPF is required to provide at least a 30-day public notice period when making substantive changes and all open commenting opportunities with supporting documents are available. Closed commenting opportunities are also available for review.

HCBS Waiver Page    Approved Waiver Documents

Open HCBS Public Comment Opportunities


Nothing to review at this time

Closed HCBS Public Comment Opportunities

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Amendment Review

Public Comment Opportunity

Review the HCBS Waiver Draft Amendments
30-day public comment period from August 1 through August 30, 2024  

Documents for Review:

Provide Comments to: 
Email: HCPF_LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us
Mail: Dept. of Health Care Policy and Financing, 303 E. 17th Avenue Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203
Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments
Fax: 303-866-2786 Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments
Phone: 303-866-3684

Background Information:

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) invites the public to comment on proposed amendments for the 1915(c) HCBS waivers: Persons with Brain Injury (BI), Children’s Extensive Supports (CES), Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP), Children with Life-Limiting Illness (CLLI), Children’s Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS), Community Mental Health Supports (CMHS), Complementary and Integrative Services (CIH), Developmental Disabilities (DD), Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD), and Supported Living Services (SLS).  

HCPF intends to submit the amendments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on September 6, 2024. HCPF will request an effective date of January 1, 2025, for the amendments.  The proposed waiver amendments give HCPF the ability to include the following changes:

  • Add the Wellness Education Benefit (WEB) service to waivers: BI, CES, CHRP, CIH, CLLI, CMHS, DD, EBD, and SLS. Amend the WEB service definition in the CHCBS waiver to align with current practices. (All)
  • Update Rates (All)
  • Remove Case Management (CM) from CHCBS (CHCBS) 
  • Increase Number of Participants Served (DD)
  • Increase the Number of Users for Community Connector and Homemaker (CES)
  • Update CES Overall Spending Limit (CES)
  • Critical Incident Reporting Updates (All)
  • CDASS Rate Methodology (BI, CIH, CMHS, EBD, SLS)
  • CHRP Medicaid Enrolled Provider Language Update (CHRP)
  • Therapeutic Adaptive Equine Activities (CES, CHRP, SLS) 
  • Home Modification Updates (BI, CES, CIH, CMHS, EBD, SLS)
  • CHRP Targeting Criteria (CHRP)

The draft waiver amendments are available online for public comment starting August 1 through August 30, 2024, allowing all HCBS consumers and service providers an opportunity to provide input.  All comments will be reviewed and taken into consideration by HCPF. HCPF will create a Listening Log to record the comments and HCPF’s responses. This Listening Log will be posted to the HCPF website after the public comment period ends.

If you would like to request information be mailed to you, including the full draft waiver, please email HCPF_LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us, fax 303-866-2786 Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments, or call 303-866-3684. 

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Amendment and Renewal Review

Public Comment Opportunity

Review the HCBS Waiver Draft Amendments and Renewals
30-day public comment period from February 1, 2024 through March 1, 2024  

Documents for Review:

Provide Comments to: 
Email: HCPF_LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us
Mail: Dept. of Health Care Policy and Financing, 303 E. 17th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments 
Fax: 303-866-2786 Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments
Phone: 303-866-3684    

Background Information:  

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) invites the public to comment on proposed amendments for six 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers: Persons with Brain Injury (BI), Children with Life-Limiting Illness (CLLI), Children’s Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS), Community Mental Health Supports (CMHS), Complementary and Integrative Health Services (CIH), and Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD). HCPF also invites the public to comment on the proposed renewals of four waivers: Children’s Extensive Supports (CES), Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP), Developmental Disabilities (DD) and Supported Living Services (SLS).  

HCPF intends to submit the amendments and renewals to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on March 8, 2024. HCPF will request an effective date of July 1, 2024, for the amendments and renewals.  The proposed waiver amendments and renewals give HCPF the ability to include the following changes:

  • Remote Supports Updates (BI, CIH, CMHS, DD, EBD, SLS)
  • Supported Employment Language Update (DD, SLS)  
  • Organized Health Care Delivery System (OHCDS) Update (BI, CES, DD, SLS, CHCBS, CIH, CMHS, EBD)  
  • Case Management Agency (CMA) Rural Exception and Case Management Redesign Updates (CHCBS)
  • Remove Hospice from Electronic Visit Verification Requirement (All waivers)  
  • Cost Containment (EBD, BI, CMHS, CIH, CLLI, SLS)
  • Rate Methodology Update for Minimum Wage Increases (All waivers)  
  • Non-Medical Transport Definitions (DD, SLS)
  • Final Rule Settings (CES, CHRP, DD, SLS)  
  • CMA Contracted Entity Language Update (All waivers)
  • Remove Outdated Practices (All waivers)  
  • Update Provision of Financial Management Services and Types of Entities (EBD, BI, CMHS, CIH, SLS)  
  • Update Pre-Vocational Service Language (DD, SLS)  
  • Update Cost Neutrality Demonstration (All waivers)  
  • Update to Ombudsman Language (All waivers)
  • Update to Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) Language (CIH)  
  • Miscellaneous Corrections (CES, CHRP, DD, SLS)

The draft waiver amendments and renewals are available online for public comment starting February 1, 2024, through March 1, 2024, allowing all HCBS consumers and service providers an opportunity to provide input.  All comments will be reviewed and taken into consideration by HCPF. HCPF will create a Listening Log to record the comments and the HCPF’s responses. This Listening Log will be posted to the HCPF website after the public comment period ends.

If you would like to request information be mailed to you, including the full draft waiver, please email HCPF_LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us, fax 303-866-2786 Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments or Renewals, or call 303-866-3684. 

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Amendment Review

Public Comment Opportunity

Review the HCBS Waiver Draft Amendments
30-day public comment period from October 11, 2023 through November 9, 2023

Documents for Review: 

Provide Comments to: 
Email: HCPF_LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us
Mail: Dept. of Health Care Policy and Financing, 303 E. 17th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments 
Fax: 303-866-2786 Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments
Phone: 303-866-3684

Background Information:

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) invites the public to comment on proposed amendments for two (2) 1915(c) HCBS waivers: Children’s Extensive Supports (CES), Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP). 

HCPF intends to submit the amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on November 10, 2023. HCPF will request an effective date of January 1, 2024, for the amendments.   

For the proposed waiver amendment HCPF is making changes to allow legally responsible individuals to provide these services: 

  • Homemaker (CES) 
  • Community Connector (CES, CHRP)  

The draft waiver amendments are available online for public comment starting October 11, 2023, through November 9, 2023, allowing all HCBS consumers and service providers an opportunity to provide input.  All comments will be reviewed and taken into consideration by HCPF. HCPF will create a Listening Log to record the comments and HCPF's responses. This Listening Log will be posted to the HCPF website after the public comment period ends. 

If you would like to request information be mailed to you, including the full draft waiver, please email HCPF_LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us, fax 303-866-2786 Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments, or call 303-866-3684. 

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Amendments

Public Comment Opportunity 

Review the HCBS Waiver Draft Amendments
30-day public comment period from August 10, 2023 through September 8, 2023 

Documents for Review:

Provide Comments to:
Email: HCPF_LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us
Mail: Dept. of Health Care Policy and Financing, 303 E. 17th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203                             
Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments 
Fax: 303-866-2786 Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments
Phone: 303-866-3684    

Background Information: 

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) invites the public to comment on proposed amendments for nine (9) 1915(c) HCBS waivers: Persons with Brain Injury (BI), Children’s Extensive Supports (CES), Children’s Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS), Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP), Community Mental Health Supports (CMHS), Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH), Developmental Disabilities (DD), Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD), and Supported Living Services (SLS). The Children with Life-Limiting Illness (CLLI) waiver does not have any policy changes this fall and will not be amended for these 1915(c) waiver amendments.

HCPF intends to submit the amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on September 15, 2023. HCPF will request an effective date of January 1, 2024 for the amendments.  The proposed waiver amendments give HCPF the ability to include the following changes:

  • CHRP Benefit Titles Reformatting (CHRP) 
  • Development of Respite Provider Specialties (CES, CHRP) 
  • Home Modification and Home Accessibility Adaptations Formal Language Addition (BI, CES, CIH, CMHS, EBD, SLS)  
  • Home Modification Lifetime Cap (BI, CIH, CMHS, EBD)
  • Increase Expense Limit for HCBS Transition Services (BI, CIH, CMHS, DD, EBD, SLS) 
  • Overnight Respite Clarification (CHRP)
  • Parent Education Service Name Change (CES) 
  • Removal of Old Age Pension (OAP) Standards (BI, CMHS, EBD)
  • Vehicle Modification Formal Language Addition (CES, SLS)  
  • Wellness Education Benefit (WEB) Addition (CHCBS)

The draft waiver amendments are available online for public comment starting August 10, 2023 through September 8, 2023, allowing all HCBS consumers and service providers an opportunity to provide input. All comments will be reviewed and taken into consideration by HCPF.  HCPF will create a Listening Log to record the comments and HCPF’s responses. This Listening Log will be posted to the HCPF website after the public comment period ends.

If you would like to request information be mailed to you, including the full draft waiver, please email HCPF_LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us, fax 303-866-2786 Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments, or call 303-866-3684.

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Amendments

Public Comment Opportunity 

Review the HCBS Waiver Draft Amendments
30-day public comment period from July 6, 2023 through August 4, 2023 

Documents for Review:

Background Information: 

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) invites the public to comment on proposed amendments for ten (10) HCBS waivers: Persons with Brain Injury (BI), Children’s Extensive Supports (CES), Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP), Children’s Home and Community Based Services (CHCBS), Children with Life-Limiting Illness (CLLI), Community Mental Health Supports (CMHS), Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH), Developmental Disabilities (DD), Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD), and Supported Living Services (SLS).

HCPF intends to submit the amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on August 11, 2023. HCPF will request an effective date of November 11, 2023 for the amendments.  The proposed waiver amendments give HCPF the ability to include the following changes:

  • Mental Health Transitional Living Home (CMHS)
  • Updates to Attachment #2: Home and Community-Based Settings Waiver Transition Plan and Appendix C-5: Home and Community-Based Settings, including and Addition of a New Setting (CMHS)
  • Mental Health Transitional Living Home (CMHS)
  • Addition of Provider Type for Dental Services (SLS, DD)
  • Rate Change (All waivers)

The draft waiver amendments are available online for public comment starting July 6, 2023 through August 4, 2023, allowing all HCBS consumers and service providers an opportunity to provide input. All comments will be reviewed and taken into consideration by HCPF.  HCPF will create a Listening Log to record the comments and HCPF’s responses. This Listening Log will be posted to the HCPF website after the public comment period ends.

If you would like to request information be mailed to you, including the full draft waiver, please email HCPF_LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us, fax 303-866-2786 Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments, or call 303-866-3684.

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Amendments and Renewal Review

Public Comment Opportunity 

Review the HCBS Waiver Draft Amendments/Renewals
30-day public comment period from February 2, 2023 through March 3, 2023 

Waiver Actions Listening Log - March 2023

Documents for Review:

Background Information: 

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing invites the public to comment on proposed amendments for nine (9) HCBS waivers: Persons with Brain Injury (BI), Children with Life-Limiting Illness (CLLI), Children’s Extensive Supports (CES), Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP), Community Mental Health Supports (CMHS), Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH), Developmental Disabilities (DD), Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD), and Supported Living Services (SLS).  

HCPF also welcomes public comment on the waiver renewal application for the following HCBS waivers: Children’s Home and Community Based Services (CHCBS).

HCPF intends to submit the amendments/renewal application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on March 10, 2023. HCPF will request an effective date of July 1, 2023 for the amendments.  The proposed waiver amendments give HCPF the ability to include the following changes:

  • Appendix D and B Language Alignment (All waivers) 
  • Benefits Planning Service (DD, SLS)
  • Case Management Monitoring Visits (All waivers)
  • Case Management Redesign Updates (All waivers)
  • Complementary and Integrative Health Services—Massage Therapy Rate Increase (CIH) 
  • Complementary and Integrative Health Services—Unit Limitation Update (CIH)
  • Day Habilitation Service Update (DD, SLS)
  • Home Delivered Meals Provider Qualifications Update (EBD, CMHS, CIH, SLS, BI, DD)
  • Mental Health Transitional Living Home (CMHS)
  • Miscellaneous Corrections (CHCBS)
  • Non-Substantive Performance Measures Language Corrections (All waivers)
  • Peer Mentorship Provider Qualification Clarification (BI. CMHS, DD, EBD, CIH, SLS)
  • Personal Care (EBD, CMHS, CIH, BI). 
  • Regional Center Reimbursement Language Corrections (DD)
  • Remote Support Provider Entity Responsible for Verification Update (BI, CMHS, CIH, EBD, SLS)
  • Supported Employment Service Update (SLS)
  • Telehealth Options for Consultation Services (SLS, CES, BI, CMHS, EBD, CIH)
  • Updates to Cost Neutrality Demonstration (All waivers)

The draft waiver amendments are available online for public comment starting February 2, 2023 through March 3, 2023, allowing all HCBS consumers and service providers an opportunity to provide input. All comments will be reviewed and taken into consideration by HCPF.  HCPF will create a Listening Log to record the comments and HCPF’s responses. This Listening Log will be posted to the HCPF website after the public comment period ends.

If you would like to request information be mailed to you, including the full draft waiver, please email HCPF_LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us, fax 303-866-2786 Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendment/Renewals, or call 303-866-3684.

To view archived HCBS Public Comment documents released for review prior to 2023, contact LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us to make your request.