If you or your family member is on Health First Colorado and needs a ramp, a bathroom remodel, or wider doorways, the state's EBD waiver, short for Elderly, Blind and Disabled waiver, can help pay for it. Health First Colorado is the state's Medicaid program, administered by the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF). The waiver's Home Modification benefit funds accessibility work up to a published lifetime cap.
What Colorado offers#
HCPF runs the EBD waiver for adults 65 and older with significant functional impairment, and for adults 18 to 64 who are blind, have a physical disability, or have HIV or AIDS. Applicants must need a nursing-facility level of care to qualify.
The EBD waiver lists Home Accessibility Modifications and Adaptations as a covered service. This benefit covers ramps, bathroom modifications, grab bars when part of a larger modification project, doorway widening, kitchen modifications, and specialized electrical or plumbing work needed for medical equipment. The rule sits in HCPF's Medicaid regulations at Volume 8, Section 8.493.
An occupational or physical therapist completes a Home Modification Evaluation before work begins. That evaluation, run through your case manager, documents what the home actually needs.
Amounts and eligibility#
HCPF publishes a clear dollar figure for this benefit: a $14,000 lifetime maximum for the Home Modification benefit, shared across the EBD waiver and three related waivers (Brain Injury, Children's Mental Health, and Children's Home and Community Based Services). Exceptions above the cap are possible with HCPF approval, but only for an immediate health or safety risk or a significant change in needs, and the modification must be the most cost-effective option. Verified against HCPF's public program pages, July 2026.
For financial eligibility, Colorado uses the special income rule shared across most 1915(c) Medicaid waivers: monthly income must fall below three times the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit rate, which works out to $2,982 a month in 2026. Countable resources must stay under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Adults who earn too much for standard Medicaid may still qualify through the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities.
HCPF's own materials say waivers "sometimes have waitlists" without naming a specific figure for the EBD waiver as of this writing. Timelines vary by region and by case volume, so avoid any source that states a fixed wait time for Colorado.
How to apply in Colorado#
If you are already enrolled in Health First Colorado, contact your local Case Management Agency (CMA) to start the waiver application. Your CMA handles intake and coordinates the level-of-care assessment.
If you are not yet enrolled in Health First Colorado, apply for that coverage first. The Health First Colorado Member Contact Center can help at 1-800-221-3943, with State Relay available at 711.
Once you're approved for the EBD waiver and the Home Modification benefit, your case manager arranges the occupational therapist (OT) or physical therapist evaluation, then solicits contractor bids using HCPF's standardized forms, updated as of November 2025. Colorado delivers waiver services fee-for-service through enrolled providers, not managed care, so your case manager authorizes the work.
For general help navigating the system, contact Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado (ADRC) at 1-844-COL-ADRC (1-844-265-2372). Sixteen Area Agencies on Aging operate under the ADRC network and the state's Unit on Aging. The federal Eldercare Locator, at eldercare.acl.gov or 1-800-677-1116, is a fallback if you need help finding local services.
Colorado also runs Community First Choice (CFC), a separate 1915(k) benefit that took over services like personal care, homemaker support, personal emergency response systems, and home-delivered meals for waiver members going through Continued Stay Reviews between July 2025 and June 2026. Self-direction is available through CDASS or IHSS.
How it stacks with federal programs#
If the person needing modifications is a veteran, check VA housing grants alongside Health First Colorado. Specially Adapted Housing grants can fund larger projects and may work alongside waiver benefits. See our VA home modification grants guide.
Original Medicare does not cover structural home modifications. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental benefits like grab bars or ramps, but coverage is plan-specific with no standard amount, so call your plan directly.
Finding a provider who knows this program: Not every contractor has handled HCPF's Home Modification paperwork or bid forms. Adapta Home USA verifies providers' Medicaid Waiver Billing experience, so you can filter for pros who have done this before. Find Home Modifications & Remodeling providers with Medicaid Waiver Billing experience →
For the bigger picture on combining programs, see our national Medicaid waiver guide and our full guide to paying for home modifications.
FAQ#
Does Health First Colorado pay for home modifications like wheelchair ramps or bathroom remodels?#
Yes. The EBD waiver's Home Modification benefit covers ramps, bathroom modifications, doorway widening, kitchen modifications, and related electrical or plumbing work, up to a published lifetime cap.
What is the $14,000 lifetime cap on Colorado's Home Modification benefit, and can it be exceeded?#
HCPF publishes a $14,000 lifetime maximum for this benefit, shared across the EBD waiver and several related waivers. HCPF can approve an exception when there is an immediate health or safety risk, or when needs have significantly changed, provided the modification is the most cost-effective option.
Who is eligible for Colorado's EBD waiver?#
Adults 65 and older with significant functional impairment, and adults 18 to 64 who are blind, have a physical disability, or have HIV or AIDS, may be eligible if they need a nursing-facility level of care. Financial limits follow the standard 300 percent special income rule and asset limits of $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Only HCPF or your local eligibility office makes the final determination.
How do I apply for the EBD waiver through a Case Management Agency?#
If you already have Health First Colorado, contact your local Case Management Agency to begin the waiver application and level-of-care assessment. If you are not yet enrolled, call the Health First Colorado Member Contact Center at 1-800-221-3943 to apply for coverage first.
Find a verified provider near you#
Adapta Home USA's directory lets you search Home Modifications & Remodeling providers by state and filter for Medicaid Waiver Billing experience. Our wheelchair ramp cost guide and accessible bathroom remodel cost guide can help you budget while your application moves forward.
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.
Program amounts, eligibility rules, and application procedures change. Figures on this page were verified against official government sources on the date shown, but you should confirm current details at VA.gov or with the administering agency before making decisions. Adapta Home USA is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.