Learn about Colorado’s Long-Term Care program
Colorado's Long-Term Care (LTC) program provides medical assistance to aged, blind or disabled persons who meet the level of care delivered in a nursing home.
Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) is a broad term for many healthcare programs available to help people with disabilities or older adults with daily activities. People eligible for LTC may receive nursing home care, long-term hospital care, home and community-based services, and alternative care facilities, among other services.
LTC clients must use most of their income to pay for the costs. Medicaid pays the difference between the client's payments and the provider's charges. Except for small allowances set aside for personal needs, dependent care and certain uncovered medical assets, the LTC client must give all of their monthly income toward medical costs.
To qualify for LTC benefits, you must:
- Meet a functional level of care.
- If under 65 years of age, have been or expect to be disabled for 12 months or more.
- Have A gross income below 300% of the SSI level per month. A higher income limit is available to those who establish a specific type of "income trust.” The maximum gross income figure is adjusted annually. Contact MCDHS for the latest figure.
- Have resources below $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 if both spouses are applying. There is a much higher resource limit when only one spouse is applying. Some examples include cash, checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds and some insurance policies and property you own other than your home.
Required documentation:
You will need to complete a general application for Medicaid. You may submit the application with the following documents, or you will be notified of what is needed at a later date.
- Proof of age, such as a birth certificate or baptismal certificate
- Proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate, citizenship records or SSN card.
- Proof of Colorado residency, such as any photo I.D. with your address
- Proof of your income and your spouse's income.
- Proof of resources, including bank statements, registration papers for motor vehicles, deeds and mortgages for real property, life insurance policies, and burial funds or policies.
Resources
The home, a car, personal belongings, household goods, some burial policies and some life insurance policies are not counted as part of your resources. However, a Medicaid lien may be filed on property to be collected after death.
Learn more about LTC and related services here!
