Family Voices Colorado

02/27/2026

Colorado is proposing updates to the Medicaid appeals process to help meet the federal 90-day appeal timeline.

✅No changes to why you can appeal

✅ No changes to the appeal filing timeline

✅ No changes to hearings or your rights during a hearing

👉Changes mainly affect what happens after a judge's decision, including what notices are sent as well as more time to file exceptions and new internal review steps.

👉Most significantly, final agency decisions will not be mailed out in most cases but will be automatically effective 30 days after the initial decision.

🔗Full Summary: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p4UpRmS52-DebtzE50gKXI2ttBnozWmc/view?usp=drivesdk

02/26/2026

📣Another Caregiver Conversations is happening next week and this one should NOT be missed!📣

We’ll break down the biggest Colorado Medicaid changes for 2026, what they mean for families, and what to watch for next.

🔗 Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rrSO-rSeQVaFeN4aNtpUQg #/registration

02/23/2026

📢 HMA Documentation Update (CDAC – Feb 11, 2026)

The state clarified rules about Health Maintenance Activities (HMA) for self-directed services like IHSS and CDASS.

Key Points:
👉HMA = Skilled health tasks that keep someone medically safe at home
👉HMA is NOT nursing assessment, doctor-ordered skilled nursing, or regular personal care
👉Families/members must collect and keep medical documentation in order to reflect current care needs and tasks
👉Document timeframe:
- Children → within 1 year
- Adults → within 3 years
👉Start gathering documentation about 60 days before annual review (CSR)
👉Missing documentation could lead to service denial (appeal rights still exist)

Tip:
Keep doctor notes, therapy notes, logs (seizures, pain, bowel), and equipment info and refer to the links below for further detailed information on what documentation will be required for each skilled care task.

🔗Important Links🔗
👉Program and Waiver Specific Resources: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/long-term-services-and-supports-case-management-tools
👉Documentation Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aOgnz2QjqQIo5x2fZXxH4aQN7tQnL4ng/view
👉Documentation Checklist: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19ZnC3IDo4G2Rv_tc-tAwGES4hKJ1RYy4/view
👉Medicaid Sustainability & LTSS System: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/medicaid-sustainability-and-ltss

02/19/2026

‼️Don’t forget ‼️

Office hours today from noon-1pm: get your questions answered in real time! Join us at the link below ⬇️

We are here to help ❤️💙

🔗http://meet.google.com/suf-ogra-jdo

02/19/2026

📣With so many changes happening around us and behind the scenes, Family Voices staff is attending meetings and providing summaries and "key points" to the community -- we hope this will ease some of the worry and help everyone stay informed while we continue to advocate for our most vulnerable families. 📣

• HCPF is facing $800M in cuts this year + $315M next year due to Colorado’s balanced budget requirement.

• The 56-hour cap was NOT discussed and remains paused pending JBC action.

• MSB approved Emergency Rule Document A, implementing soft caps across Community First Choice services and restructuring Community Connector.

• Higher service levels will now shift to an exception-based model, with increased documentation and review.

• The state is formally adopting age-appropriate standards to guide authorizations for children and adults.

• Growth in costs was linked to increased utilization, pandemic flexibilities, and reimbursement for legally responsible persons (LRPs), with new limits and clarifications coming.

• While described as impacting a small percentage of members, these changes will most affect individuals with high or complex support needs and families relying on higher service hours.

• Emergency rules must return within 120 days for final adoption, and further changes may come through the FY26–27 Long Bill.

👉Bottom line: Colorado is tightening Medicaid LTSS through caps, clearer definitions, and stricter oversight in response to major budget reductions — with the greatest impact likely on the highest-need members, as well as children under 6.

🔗Links🔗

🔗Slide deck can be found here:
https://hcpf.colorado.gov/medical-services-board

🔗Rule packet:
https://hcpf.colorado.gov/sites/hcpf/files/Doc%2007%20MSB%2025-07-15-B%20Initial%20-%20Feb%202026.pdf

🔗HCPF website for ongoing sustainability changes:
https://hcpf.colorado.gov/medicaid-sustainability-and-ltss

🔗HCPF memo series:
https://hcpf.colorado.gov/memo-series

02/12/2026

So proud of our team today! 💙

Four of our incredible staff members spent the day at the Colorado State Capitol for Disability Rights Advocacy Day, standing alongside advocates, families, and community members to ensure the disability community is seen, heard, and represented.

Advocacy matters. Representation matters. And showing up matters. Real change happens when voices come together to share lived experiences, educate leaders, and push for policies that support dignity, access, and inclusion for all.

We are grateful for staff who are passionate, dedicated, and willing to step into spaces where decisions are made — because our community deserves nothing less.

02/11/2026

Lunch with a navigator TOMORROW! Join us to get your questions answered and hopefully find some peace of mind.

We are here to help ❤️💙

🔗http://meet.google.com/suf-ogra-jdo

02/05/2026

This week, we celebrated the Grand Opening of our new office!

Find us here:
📍4643 South Ulster Street, Suite 700
Denver CO 80237

If you need to visit us in person, our new location is in the Denver Tech Center just off I-25 and I-225, and near the RTD E Line Belleview Station.

02/04/2026

Medicaid rule changes can feel confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes scary — but you don’t have to navigate them alone. 💙 Join our Caregiver Conversations tomorrow as we talk about the Colorado Medicaid rule making process and what it means for families like ours.

📅 Feb 5
⏰ 7 PM MST
👉 Register using the link below or found in our bio

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rrSO-rSeQVaFeN4aNtpUQg #/registration

01/30/2026

01/28/2026

Caregiver Conversations is back!

We have a special one for you this round — Feb 5th we will be discussing the CO Medicaid Rule-making processes. This is an important conversation and one you definitely don’t want to miss.

Sign up here 👉 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rrSO-rSeQVaFeN4aNtpUQg #/registration

01/26/2026

We’re excited to help spread the word about this free virtual training hosted by our friends at Handprints Therapies, Developmental Pathways, and Wolff Child Psychology 🤍

Designed for caregivers and early childhood professionals, this evening will cover sensory regulation, emotional regulation, and creating sensory-friendly spaces at home — plus a live Q&A with experts.

📅 January 27 | 6–8 PM
💻 Virtual & free

Check it out and sign up if this feels supportive for your family or work!

Link 🔗: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/4489fceda9104cf6be57ecb8e2e53f89