Everything you need to know about getting paid to care for a loved one in Colorado
Yes, you do need Medicaid to qualify in Colorado, since the program is fully funded through Colorado Medicaid. If you don’t currently have Medicaid but believe you might qualify, call the Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy & Financing at 1-800-221-3943 or visit their website at Health First Colorado – Colorado’s Medicaid Program to apply.
Yes, you can qualify for FreedomCare in Colorado if you have both Medicare and Medicaid, as long as your Colorado Medicaid plan approves you for in-home support services. Medicaid is the coverage that allows you to access long term care at home, while Medicare continues to cover medical services like doctor visits and hospital stays. In Colorado, eligibility also depends on an assessment that confirms you need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or moving safely around your home.
No, you cannot qualify for FreedomCare in Colorado if you only have Medicare, since the program requires Colorado Medicaid to authorize in-home support. If you don’t have Medicaid but think you might qualify, call the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing at 1-800-221-3943 to inquire if you qualify.
If you require help with daily activities such as shopping, cleaning, bathing, or grooming, you may be eligible for care. As part of the application process, the Case Management Agency assigned to your county will schedule and complete a functional assessment. This assessment is what determines whether you meet the level of need required for services. If you’re unsure how to begin or need help coordinating the assessment, we can guide you through each step.
No, there are no restrictions. In Colorado, eligibility depends on whether the person has Colorado Medicaid and requires care with daily activities like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, walking safely, or managing basic tasks at home.
Yes, in Colorado, a person who receives disability benefits or SSI can still qualify for FreedomCare. Receiving SSI or Social Security Disability benefits does not prevent someone from enrolling in the program. What matters most is whether the person has active Colorado Medicaid or qualifies for Medicaid based on income and medical need. In many cases, individuals who receive SSI are automatically eligible for Medicaid, while others may need to apply separately. If Medicaid is in place and the state assessment confirms a need for in-home support, a family member or trusted person may be able to become the paid caregiver.
Your Case Management Agency is the one that determines how many personal care hours you qualify for and how those hours can be used. If you already have a home attendant or CMA through an agency, you can switch to a relative or friend through FreedomCare, but your total approved hours will not increase. For example, if you are approved for 20 hours per week, those same 20 hours can be provided by your family caregiver or by your agency attendant, but not both. Some people have more than one approved caregiver or attendant, but the hours assigned by your Case Management Agency must be shared among them. If you’re thinking about switching from your current attendant to a family caregiver, we can walk you through exactly how the transition works.
If you are receiving hospice care in Colorado, it is important to speak with your hospice provider and Medicaid case manager to determine whether you can receive additional in-home support services at the same time. Hospice and Medicaid home care often serve different purposes, but coordination is required to ensure services do not overlap in a way that conflicts with program rules. Eligibility depends on your specific Colorado Medicaid plan and approved care needs. In some situations, additional support may be allowed, while in others it may not. We can help you understand how this works and guide you through the conversation with your care team.
In Colorado, you can choose someone you trust to be your caregiver, including:
Caregiver requirements in Colorado:
Restrictions in Colorado:
If you are unsure whether someone qualifies, we can walk through the details with you.
Yes, in Colorado, a caregiver and the person receiving care can live in the same home. This is common and fully supported under Colorado Medicaid home and community based services. Many family caregivers already live with the person they care for, which can provide consistency and comfort. As long as the caregiver meets program requirements and completes enrollment, living in the same household does not affect eligibility.
No, there is no cost to join FreedomCare in Colorado. Approved services are funded through Colorado Medicaid, which covers the cost of in-home support for eligible individuals. There are no enrollment fees or monthly charges to participate. If you qualify and your care is authorized, your chosen caregiver is paid through the Medicaid program.
Yes. If you enroll with FreedomCare, your Participant Directed Program hours shift from your current home care agency to your chosen family caregiver. Your total approved hours stay the same. They are simply provided by the person you select instead of an agency worker. You cannot use the same authorized hours from both an agency and a family caregiver at the same time.
If you already receive in-home care services in Colorado and want to switch to FreedomCare, you will first need to notify your current agency of your intent to change providers. After that, you will work with your Case Management Agency to request that a new authorization be issued to FreedomCare. Your approved hours and eligibility typically remain the same, but the agency providing services changes. We help coordinate with your case manager and guide you through each step so the transition is smooth and there is no interruption in care.
Yes, patients must call FreedomCare to request a caregiver change. The new caregiver must go through the enrollment process before they are able to work. For multiple caregivers, the process is the same. Having more than one caregiver does not change the number of authorized hours.
If you have a Designated Representative, they will play an important role in coordinating your care with FreedomCare. They help manage your caregiver’s schedule, make sure required paperwork is completed, and communicate with FreedomCare on your behalf. Your Designated Representative will also work closely with your Case Management Agency and FreedomCare to handle any updates or changes to your care plan.
Step 1: Confirm your Medicaid status
If you already have Medicaid and need daily assistance, we can submit a referral on your behalf after confirming your eligibility.
Step 2: Connect with your Case Management Agency (CMA)
Your CMA will determine whether you qualify for services and will complete the functional assessment that identifies how many hours of support you need.
Step 3: Complete your Care Plan
Once your CMA provides the approved number of hours, a FreedomCare nurse will meet with you and your caregiver to complete the care plan and submit it back to your Case Manager for final approval.
Step 4: Receive authorization
After your Case Manager issues the final authorization, FreedomCare will schedule your Start of Care.
Step 5: Start of Care
You or your Designated Representative, along with your approved caregiver, must be available for this call so services can officially begin.
Yes, a caregiver can work a part time job as long as they can still provide the approved care hours listed in the plan of care. The key is being available when the patient needs support. If you are unsure whether your schedule fits, we can review it with you and help you plan.
While the patient is working with their Case Management Agency to be approved for home care services, the potential caregiver completes the enrollment process. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: A member of the FreedomCare team will contact you and explain each step of the enrollment process.
Step 2: Complete all required forms sent to you by email and upload copies of your documents.
Step 3: Follow the emailed link to complete your background check information.
Step 4: Finish all required caregiver trainings.
Step 5: Schedule your Welcome Call with your patient to review the care schedule and set your official start date.
No, caregivers in Colorado do not need to be certified. However, they must complete the required training before they can begin providing care.
Not necessarily. A misdemeanor does not automatically disqualify you in Colorado. All caregivers must complete a fingerprint based background check, and only certain serious offenses prevent approval. If you are unsure, we can help you understand the rules.
Payment rates in Colorado depend on the Medicaid program, the patient’s county, and the level of care that has been authorized. Rates are set by the state and tied to approved hours, not negotiated individually. The total amount a caregiver earns is based on the number of authorized hours provided and properly recorded. Any available benefits also depend on the specific program and local guidelines.
Your Case Management Agency will determine the number of care hours that are appropriate based on the patient’s assessed needs. Once the hours are approved, FreedomCare works with you and the patient to build a schedule that fits those hours and stays compliant with all labor regulations and program rules.
No, there is no minimum number of hours required in Colorado. The number of hours worked depends entirely on the patient’s approved Medicaid plan of care. Some individuals may be authorized for only a few hours per week, while others may qualify for more consistent daily support. Caregivers are paid for the hours that are approved and properly documented, not based on a required minimum.
FreedomCare issues payments every Friday for the prior week of approved work in Colorado. Caregivers are paid for hours that have been authorized and properly recorded. You can choose to receive your payment through direct deposit or by mailed check, depending on what works best for you.
Yes, overtime pay may be available in Colorado if the patient is approved for more than 40 hours per week and you work over 40 hours in that same week. Overtime eligibility depends on the approved plan of care and Medicaid authorization. The exact overtime rate is determined by the patient’s case and state guidelines.
Yes. Caregivers must have an active email address and a working smartphone to use the FreedomCare Plus app for clock in and clock out. If you need help setting up the app, we can assist you.
Yes, you can care for more than one patient, but you must divide your hours between them. You cannot be on the clock for two patients at the same time, and current regulations do not allow caregivers to provide more than 16 hours of care in a single day. New regulations for April 2026 may change some of these rules, and we will help you stay updated as they go into effect.
Overnight care can be paid if your Case Management Agency includes those hours in the patient’s approved care plan. They determine how many weekly hours are needed and when support is required. Once the hours are approved, a FreedomCare nurse will work with the patient or their Designated Representative, the caregiver, and the Case Management Agency to make sure overnight shifts are scheduled appropriately and follow all program rules.
Caregivers in Colorado may receive:
No, FreedomCare does not reimburse travel expenses in Colorado. The program is designed to cover approved in-home caregiving services, not mileage, gas, or transportation costs. Care hours must reflect the time spent providing support in the home according to the Medicaid approved plan of care.
Yes, caregiver hours in Colorado are flexible within the limits of the approved Medicaid plan of care. You and the person you care for can work together to create a schedule that fits daily routines and support needs. The total hours provided cannot exceed the weekly amount authorized by the state. Any schedule should reflect the actual time care is being delivered.
Contact the FreedomCare Care Support team. We will review your timesheets and payment details to resolve the issue quickly.
We encourage every patient to have at least two caregivers enrolled so there is always someone available to step in when you need a day off. For longer absences, contact FreedomCare so we can help explore additional caregiving options.
Colorado law also provides paid sick time. Direct care workers accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year. Sick time may be used for your own medical care, preventative care, or when a mental or physical illness prevents you from working. It can also be used for family needs, situations involving domestic abuse, sexual assault, or criminal harassment, bereavement, or unexpected school closures and home evacuations.
Caregivers may qualify depending on hours worked and Colorado program rules. If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements, we can review your schedule with you.
You can download Colorado’s state labor law posters on the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment website here.
To download the FreedomCare Plus app, open the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and search for “FreedomCare Plus.” Tap to download and install the app. Once installed, open it, allow any requested permissions, and log in using the caregiver code and password provided during your welcome call. If you need help with your login, contact your Care Support team.
You can review your pay stubs directly in the FreedomCare Plus app by tapping the “My Payroll” button.
Please contact your Care Support team. They will review your timesheets and payment details, investigate the issue, and help resolve it.
No, currently the app is the only method available for clocking in and out. Ensure the app is installed and functioning correctly on any phone or tablet, even if it’s not yours. Caregivers in Colorado can retroactively confirm their visits up to 10 weeks. *Note AZ caregivers may only retroactively go back 2 weeks.
FreedomCare is available in Colorado, and you can also find our program in many other states across the country.
Here are the other states where FreedomCare is available:
In each of these states, eligible residents can choose a loved one or trusted friend to provide in home care through Medicaid programs or waivers. If you live in Colorado and want to know whether you or a family member may qualify, we guide you through eligibility, assessments, and every step that follows.
The program is funded by Colorado Medicaid, which uses state and federal dollars to help you receive care at home instead of in a facility. Many families come to us when a loved one starts needing daily support and they want to keep care in a familiar, comfortable place. Colorado Medicaid pays for these in home services so you can choose someone you trust. We help you understand the requirements, complete the steps, and make sure your caregiver gets enrolled the right way.
The difference between Medicaid and Medicare in Colorado is that Medicaid helps people with limited income get healthcare coverage, while Medicare is mainly for adults sixty five and older or younger individuals with certain disabilities. Many families in Colorado come to us confused about which program their loved one has or needs, especially when daily care becomes harder to manage. You can think of Medicaid as based on financial need and Medicare as based on age or disability. If you are unsure which applies to your situation, we can help you sort through it.
This program works by allowing eligible Medicaid recipients in Colorado to receive in-home care from someone you trust, paid through Colorado Medicaid and Medicaid waiver programs. Waiver programs include the Children’s Home and Community Based Services Waiver, the Brain Injury Waiver, the Supported Living Services Waiver, and the Elderly Blind and Disabled Waiver. These waivers make it possible for you to receive in-home care from someone you trust, as long as they pass a background check. Once you qualify under the waiver that fits your situation, you can choose a family member or friend as your caregiver. We guide you through enrollment, training, and payroll so you can focus on your loved one’s care at home.
Enroll now to have a family member or a trusted friend care for you in your home.
