How to Pay for In-Home Nursing Care in Colorado: Medicare, Medicaid, and Other Options

How to Pay for In-Home Nursing Care in Colorado

Cost is often the first question families ask when considering home health care. The good news is that Colorado offers more payment pathways than most states, and many families qualify for coverage they do not realize is available. Between Medicare, Medicaid, HCBS waivers, VA benefits, private insurance, and long-term care policies, there are real options for reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket expenses.

This guide covers every major payment source available to Colorado Springs area families in 2026, including eligibility requirements, what each source covers, and how to apply.

Understanding the Costs

Before exploring payment options, it helps to know what home health care actually costs in the Colorado Springs area.

Class B personal care (non-medical) services typically range from $25 to $35 per hour. This covers help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, companionship, and other activities of daily living. Most agencies require a minimum of 2 to 4 hours per visit.

Class A skilled nursing services range from $45 to $75 per visit for standard nursing assessments. Specialized services like IV therapy, wound care, or ventilator management may cost more. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy home visits typically fall in the $150 to $250 range per session before insurance.

Medicare Home Health Benefits

Medicare is the single largest payer of home health services in Colorado. If your loved one is 65 or older, or qualifies for Medicare due to disability, home health may be covered at no cost to the patient.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Medicare home health coverage, the patient must be under the care of a physician who certifies the need for home health services. The patient must need skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, or continued occupational therapy. The patient must be homebound. And the agency must be Medicare-certified.

What Medicare Covers

• Skilled nursing visits
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech-language pathology
• Medical social work
• Limited home health aide services (only when also receiving skilled care)

What Medicare Does Not Cover

Medicare does not cover 24-hour home care, homemaker services when that is the only care needed, personal care without skilled services, or meal delivery.

Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado)

Colorado's Medicaid program, called Health First Colorado, covers home health services for eligible residents. The Health First Colorado program site is the best official starting point for current benefits and eligibility.

HCBS Waivers: The Key to Long-Term Personal Care

Colorado's Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers are the most important Medicaid benefit for families needing ongoing, non-medical home care. These waivers pay for services that keep people in their homes instead of nursing facilities.

The Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) waiver covers personal care, homemaker services, adult day programs, respite care, and non-medical transportation. The Supported Living Services (SLS) waiver covers personal care and community participation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

How to Apply for HCBS Waivers

Contact your local Single Entry Point (SEP) agency. For the Colorado Springs area, the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging is the best local starting point for referrals and long-term care navigation. The SEP will conduct a functional assessment to determine eligibility.

Veterans Benefits

With Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and NORAD all located in the Colorado Springs area, our community has one of the highest concentrations of veterans and active duty military families in the country.

• VA Home Health Care provides skilled nursing and home health aide services through VA-contracted agencies.
• The Aid and Attendance Pension is a monthly cash benefit for wartime veterans who need help with daily activities.
• The Veteran Directed Care program lets veterans manage their own care budget.
• Respite Care provides temporary relief for family caregivers of veterans.

Private Pay Strategies

Start with fewer hours and increase as needed. Ask about package rates. Consider a mix of professional and family care. Use the right level of care for your needs.

When comparing agencies, ask what insurance they accept and whether they have staff who can help with benefit coordination, waiver paperwork, or VA-related documentation.