Eight Steps to Enrollment

In-Home Support Services

Eligibility

To use IHSS, you must:

Be enrolled in Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program)
Meet eligibility for the CFC program, including:
- Having an assessed need for Personal Care, Homemaker, and/or Health Maintenance Activities
- Meeting an institutional level of care
  - If you are already enrolled in an HCBS waiver, you automatically meet institutional level of care
Participate in service planning with your Case Management Agency (CMA)

If you’re still receiving IHSS through a waiver and haven’t yet transitioned to CFC, your Case Manager will guide you through the timing and next steps.

Learn more about CFC eligibility and services and connect with your local Case Management Agency to get started.

Not yet enrolled in Health First Colorado? Apply now.

Enrollment Steps

There are eight steps to enrolling in the IHSS program:

1. Enroll in Community First Choice.

IHSS is available to members through Community First Choice (CFC).
Learn more about Community First Choice (CFC).
Contact your local case management agency to start the process.

2. Meet with your case manager

Meet with your case manager to discuss why IHSS is right for you compared to other options.
- Looking for your case management agency? Find it using the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) case management agency directory.
When you meet with your case manager, you will complete an assessment of your care needs and additional enrollment paperwork.
After completing the assessment process, your case manager will provide you a list of IHSS agencies in your area. or you may review the HCPF IHSS Provider List for approved agencies in your area.

3. Begin to complete required IHSS forms.

Below are forms required to enroll into IHSS:
- Physician Attestation of Consumer Capacity is completed by your (the member’s) physician and helps determine what supports you need to be safe in your home and community. The physician also determines if you require an Authorized Representative (AR). This form is required at initial enrollment and any documented change in your condition. An additional form is required for ARs. It is important to know that a person can be an AR or attendant, but not both.
- The Direct Care Services Calculator is a tool used by the case manager to indicate the number of hours of attendant services a member needs for each covered service (Personal Care, Homemaker, and Health Maintenance Activities).
The IHSS Shared Responsibilities Plan is required for all members. This form should not be completed before you have your Physician’s Attestation form completed. The Shared Responsibilities Plan is completed by you (or your AR) and your chosen IHSS agency during initial enrollment and any documented change in your condition.

4. Select your IHSS agency.

Choose the IHSS agency that is the best fit for you. You may contact them and ask questions about their services.
After picking an IHSS agency, your case manager will check that it is accepting new members. If they are not, work with your case manager to choose another agency or look into other service options.
Your case manager will send your chosen IHSS agency a referral and your enrollment paperwork.

5. Enroll with your IHSS agency.

Your IHSS agency will review your referral and contact you to set up an intake assessment.
Attend your intake assessment and share with your agency your needs and desires for care.
After your intake assessment, your IHSS agency will create a care plan and send it to your case manager for approval.

6. Case manager approves Care Plan and completes the Prior Authorization Request (PAR) process.

Your case manager will review and approve your care plan. They will work with your IHSS agency to make corrections if needed.
If additional information is needed, your case manager will contact you.
After your case manager approves your care plan, they will enter your PAR in HCPF’s system called the interChange (also called Bridge). A PAR has information about your authorized services, service hours, and certification period for IHSS.

7. IHSS agency begins staffing and orientation.

Your IHSS agency will hire your attendants. As the employer, your agency is responsible for your attendants, but you are welcome to participate in the selection and interview process.
Attend your IHSS agency’s orientation.
Work with your IHSS agency to train your attendants.

8. Services Begin.

Once your attendants are hired and trained, your IHSS agency will set up their work schedule and begin services.
If at any time an attendant cannot come to work or doesn’t show up, your IHSS agency is responsible for sending a backup attendant.
Stay in communication with your IHSS agency to manage your attendants and get ongoing support. If you are struggling to work with your agency, you can contact Consumer Direct for Colorado (CDCO) or HCPF at HCPF_PDP@state.co.us or 303-866-5638.
After services begin, CDCO is always available to help answer questions about IHSS. As the Training and Support contractor, we have many resources available to help you navigate IHSS!