Medicaid waivers enable people (including children) who wouldn’t otherwise qualify for Medicaid due to income or assets to access Medicaid benefits even if the person already has private insurance. In the case of families, parental income is not considered for eligibility. Only a child’s assets or income is considered. Therefore, many children with extraordinary health care needs qualify for Medicaid waivers because they have few assets.  A child must have institutional-level of care requirements to be eligible for these waivers.

 
For help in knowing how to see if your child might qualify for Medicaid or any of the waivers, you can start with Medicaid Eligibility Family and Children's Programs or

Family Voices Colorado provides help with health insurance plans, applying for Medicaid, communicating with service providers, navigating Medicaid or other public systems, individual health insurance counseling (such as in benefits decision or help with the appeals process). 1-800-881-8272 or 303-733-3000

Medicaid Buy-InThe Medicaid Buy-In Program for Children with Disabilities (Children's Buy-In) is a medical assistance program that will provide Medicaid benefits for children who are under age 19, have a qualifying disability, and whose adjusted family income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Applications for the new program will begin being accepted on July 1, 2012.

Medicaid Reference Desk for Colorado