Colorado Medicaid Update: Caregiver Cap & 56-Hour Limit

Families who rely on Colorado Medicaid Update home care services need clear, local information about proposed changes to caregiver hour limits and service caps. One of the most talked-about updates under review by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) would introduce a 56-hour weekly limit on how many hours one caregiver can provide care to a single member, along with other proposed limits on service units.

These proposals are not final, but Colorado Families are already searching for answers, including 56 hours, soft cap, hard cap, family caregiver, Colorado family programs, caps for caregivers, age limits, agency-based personal home care, and homemaker services. At Team Select Home Care, we’ve proudly served Colorado families for over a decade, and we’re here to help you understand what these changes could mean for your care and how we advocate for you.

Team Select Home Care: Local Support for Colorado Families

Navigating Medicaid changes can be confusing, especially when your family depends on consistent caregiver relationships and dependable support. As a trusted Colorado home care services provider, Team Select Home Care offers comprehensive assistance on the following programs:

1. In-home Parent CNA Program
2. Agency Based Personal Home Care and Home Maker Services
3. Community Connector Program
4. Extraordinary Cleaning Program
5. Complete Coordination and support with family caregiving plans
6. Assistance understanding evolving Medicaid rules and how they may affect care delivery

If proposed caregiver hour limits or service caps are finalized, our focus remains ensuring continuity of care and reducing disruption for your family.

What Is the Community First Choice Program?

Colorado’s Community First Choice (CFC) program expands access to Medicaid-funded home care services for older adults and people with disabilities. This benefit includes supports that allow members to receive care at home, including personal care, homemaker services, and health-related assistance.

These services help families maintain independent living and avoid unnecessary institutional care. If you’re looking for support with day-to-day tasks or need help coordinating care at home, Team Select has an office near you:

1. Colorado home care services hub

Proposed Caregiver Limits: 56-Hour Weekly Cap

One of the key proposals being discussed by HCPF would limit how many hours a single caregiver can provide care to one member:

Draft caregiver limits include:

1. 56 hours per week from one caregiver
2. 16 hours per day from that same caregiver

These limits would apply to many services, including personal care and homemaker services, and are part of ongoing Medicaid rule reviews related to LTSS and the CFC benefit.

These rules are still under development, and exceptions may be allowed, especially in emergency situations, but important details like which scenarios qualify and how to request exceptions are still being defined.

Soft Cap vs. Hard Cap: What’s the Difference?

You may hear terms like soft cap and hard cap in discussions about how many service units are available under various Medicaid programs:

1. A hard cap generally means a fixed limit on hours/units, with no exceptions.
2. A soft cap means there’s a standard limit, but caregivers or care coordinators can request more if the member’s assessed needs justify additional services.

Colorado’s rule discussions include unit limits, such as annual units for personal care and homemaker services, and questions about whether exceptions will be allowed when medically needed. Understanding how soft caps work is especially important for families relying on consistent, ongoing support.

Why Is Colorado Considering These Changes?

Colorado’s Medicaid system is under financial pressure, and HCPF has cited goals including:

1. Promoting caregiver safety and reducing burnout
2. Creating consistency across programs
3. Strengthening oversight and accountability of services

All these goals matter, but families need clear guidance and flexibility so care can continue uninterrupted when needs change.

What This Could Mean for Colorado Families

If your loved one relies on one primary caregiver, especially a family caregiver, proposed caps could affect how care is scheduled and delivered. Possible changes might include:

1. Scheduling care with multiple caregivers to stay under limits
2. Increased coordination between families, caregivers, and care teams
3. More planning around personal care and homemaker service hours

Working with an agency-based provider like Team Select Home Care can help you navigate these transitions with confidence, because we assist with caregiver planning, scheduling support, and proactive communication with care managers.

Family Caregivers and Paid Options

Some family caregivers are eligible for paid support through Medicaid options such as In-Home Support Services (IHSS) and the Family CNA Program. Programs like these https://tshc.com/family-programs/colorado-ihss-program/ and  Colorado Family CNA Program » Team Select Home Care support families in compensating loved ones who provide care.

Whether you are balancing work and care duties or planning around future needs, Team Select Home Care can help you understand your options and what documentation you may need.

What About Emergencies?

Draft rules allow caregivers to exceed hour limits during an emergency, but the state has not yet defined:

1. What qualifies as an emergency
2. How exceptions are approved
3. What documentation is required

We are actively advocating for flexible, clear guidance so that families are not left without care when unexpected situations arise.

How You Can Share Your Voice

The Colorado rule review process includes opportunities for public input. Member and family voices matter, sharing your experience can help policymakers understand the real-world impacts of these changes.

If you’d like help understanding how to share feedback with the state or have questions about your services, please contact our Colorado team.

Our Commitment to You

At Team Select Home Care, we are committed to:

1. Putting your care first
2. Providing individualized support
3. Working to prevent disruptions
4. Communicating early and clearly

As Colorado’s Medicaid rules evolve, we will continue updating you with the latest information.

Need Help Understanding What This Means for Your Family?

Team Select Home Care has been serving Colorado families for over a decade. If you’re concerned about caregiver limits, soft caps vs. hard caps, or your care plan,  we’re here to help.

Contact our Colorado team today to review your current services and understand your options.