NECALG / NECO AAA CASE MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Options for Long-term Care

NECO AAA serves as the Case Management Agency (CMA) for Morgan, Logan, Washington, Yuma, Phillips, Sedgwick, Kit Carson, Lincoln and Cheyenne Counties.

CMA assists children and adults to remain living safely and independently in the community of their choice, when functional and financial eligibility requirements are met. CMA Case Managers complete a functional assessment to determine if an individual meets the level of care to receive Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) through Health First
Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program).

Members who qualify are eligible for in-home services such as assisting with bathing, dressing, meals, shopping, and homemaking.

Other available services include supported employment, day programs, home and vehicle modifications, medication reminders, Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERs or commonly referred to as a lifeline), transportation services and more. Services vary depending on the program or Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver
chosen by the member.

See below for a list of waivers and programs facilitated through NECO AAA.

Target Groups and Ages Covered for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)

Brain Injury Waiver (BI)
The BI waiver is a program that provides home and community based services to
persons with a brain injury. This waiver serves individuals 16 years old and older.
Community Mental Health Supports Waiver (CMHS)
The CMHS waiver is a program that provides home and community based services to persons ages 18+ with major mental illness.
Complementary and Integrative Health Waiver (CIH)
The CIH waiver is a program for persons ages 18+ living with a spinal cord injury
(traumatic or nontraumatic), multiple sclerosis, brain injury, spina bifida, muscular
dystrophy, or cerebral palsy with the inability for independent ambulation.
Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD)
The DD waiver is for individuals 18+ with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and provides access to 24-hour, seven days a week supervision through Residential
Habilitation and Day Habilitation Services and Supports. Living arrangements can range from host homes settings with 1-2 persons, individualized settings of 1-3 persons, and group settings of 4-8 persons, as well as residential supports for participants who live in their own home or who live with and/or are provided services by members of their family.
Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Waiver (EBD)
The EBD waiver provides assistance to people ages 65 and older who have a functional impairment, or are blind, or to people ages 18-64 who are physically disabled or have a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS, and require long-term supports and services in order to remain in a community setting.
Supported Living Services Waiver (SLS)The SLS waiver provides home and community based services to individuals 18+ with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

NECO AAA CMA also supports children (20 and younger) through the following Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers

Children's Habilitation Residential Program Waiver (CHRP)
The CHRP Waiver provides services for children and youth ages 0-20 who have an
intellectual or developmental disability and very high needs. Their needs for support put them at risk of, or in need of, out-of-home placement. Waiver services help children and youth learn and maintain the skills needed to live in their communities.
Children’s Home and Community Based Services Waiver (CHCBS)
The CHCBS waiver is available for children ages 0-17 with significant medical needs and who are at risk for institutional care in an acute hospital or skilled nursing facility. This program is designed for children who would not otherwise qualify for Medicaid due to exceeding household income/resources.
Children’s Extensive Support Waiver (CES)
The CES Waiver helps children ages 0-17 by providing services and supports that will
help children with a developmental disability establish a long-term foundation for community inclusion as they grow into adulthood.
Children With Life Limiting Illness Waiver (CLLI)
The CLLI program provides Health First Colorado benefits in the home for children ages 0-18 with a life-limiting illness. This waiver allows you to seek curative treatment while your child is receiving palliative care.

Home and Community Based Services Requirements

o Functional Eligibility: Nursing Facility, Hospital, or Intermediate Care Facility Level of Care (depending on which HCBS waiver applying for).
o Financial Eligibility: Apply and be approved for Medicaid under Colorado statutes.
o Disability Determination: Individuals aged 0-64 must be officially recognized as disabled to qualify for waiver services. This can be facilitated either through the Social Security Administration or the State Disability Contractor, Action Review Group (ARG). To access DD waivers or state-funded programs, individuals are required to have a confirmed Developmental Disability or Delay. The Disability Determination process is conducted through your local CMA (Case Management Agency).
o Cost Effectiveness: Services must be delivered at a cost equal to or less than nursing home cost.

Who can make a referral for the waiver programs?

Your physician’s office, your Medicaid eligibility technician, your mental health worker,
Community Options, a friend, family member, or you. Basically, anyone may call our
intake line and make a referral on your behalf.

Which Medicaid Waiver is right for me?

o Choosing an HCBS Waiver Flowchart-Adults-January 2017.pdf (colorado.gov)
o Choosing an HCBS Waiver (Children) (colorado.gov)
o HCBS Adult Waiver and PACE Comparison Chart-April 2023 (colorado.gov)
o CO HCBS Children Waiver Chart-March 2023 (colorado.gov)

What to Expect
When you first contact NECO AAA CMA an intake coordinator will either refer you for a face-to-face assessment with a case manager or refer you to other community resources that may better meet your needs. If you are referred for an assessment, the case manager
will come to your residence. Among other areas that he / she will discuss with you are your ability to perform daily living activities, your physical and emotional health and any services you are currently receiving. The case manager will send a request to your physician for your diagnosis and medications.
The case manager will base his / her recommendation for long- term care based on the information provided and your physician's input. If approved, the case manager will verify Medicaid approval.

Remember, you are responsible to apply for Medicaid!

NECO AAA CMA supports the following Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers for Adults

Approved
Once you are approved for Long Term Care Services you and your case manager will discuss a plan of care to provide you with the services you require to keep you safely living in the community. Your case manager will continue to monitor your services and
your safety in the community and make suggestions and adjustments to your plan of care accordingly.

Other Programs Provided through NECO AAA CMA

State Supported Living Services Program (State SLS)
State SLS is designed to provide support to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) who are not eligible for HCBS Waiver Programs or to provide pre-enrollment supports to members enrolling in I/DD HCBS programs/waivers.

Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1987 Specialized Services Program (OBRA-SS)
OBRA-SS is a program that provides integrated community-based supports for individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities residing in a nursing facility

Family Support Services Program (FSSP)

The Family Support Services Program (FSSP) provides support for families who have children with intellectual and developmental disabilities or delays with costs that are beyond those normally experienced by other families. The primary purpose of the FSSP is to support children with intellectual and developmental disabilities or delays remaining within their family setting and prevent out-of-home placements.

Home Care Allowance (HCA)
HCA provides cash assistance to individuals five (5) years of age and older with a disability to pay a home care provider. HCA is used to pay for services to help members remain in their homes (such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and shopping). Services are provided by a home care provider. Eligibility for HCA is based on financial need and functional capacity.

Get Involved!

NECALG/NECO AAA CMA has many opportunities for you to be involved, see below for a list of volunteer opportunities:

Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is comprised of no less than five committee members that meets at least quarterly to obtain public input and guidance for CMA operations.

Family Support Council (FSC)

The Family Support Council (FSC) is responsible for providing guidance and assistance to the CMA for the overall implementation of the Family Support Services Program (FSSP).

Human Rights Committee (HRC)

The Human Rights Committee (HRC) is comprised of volunteers who have backgrounds in behavioral health and advocacy, individuals receiving services, and family members of individuals receiving services. The HRC meets quarterly as a third party mechanism to
safeguard the rights of persons receiving services.

If you are interested in applying to volunteer, contact NECALG/NECO AAA CMA at 970-867-1840 ext. 2008 for more information.

Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus Grievance Form

Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

Family Support Council (FSC)

Human Rights Committee (HRC)

File a Grievance

Contact Executive Director

File a Complaint

File a Complaint for SIS Assessment