Age 16 & Up
The Brain Injury (BI) waiver helps people (16 yrs. & up) with a brain injury who need extra support to live in their communities. You can get these extra services along with your regular Health First Colorado covered services as long as they are not duplicative.
Diagnoses that qualify as a brain injury
According to Rule/Reg (10 CCR 2505-10 8.7100.A.6), a brain injury is defined as a traumatic or acquired injury to the brain that results in lasting physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral impairments. The condition must be non-progressive and fall within one of the following diagnostic categories listed in the most current version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) at the time of assessment:
- Nonpsychotic mental disorders due to brain damage
- Anoxic brain damage
- Compression of the brain
- Toxic encephalopathy
- Subarachnoid and/or intracerebral hemorrhage
- Occlusion and stenosis of precerebral arteries
- Acute, but ill-defined cerebrovascular disease
- Other and ill-defined cerebrovascular disease
- Late effects of cerebrovascular disease
- Fracture of the skull or face
- Concussion resulting in an ongoing need for assistance with Activities of Daily Living
- Cerebral laceration and contusion
- Subarachnoid, subdural, and extradural hemorrhage, following injury
- Other unspecified intracranial hemorrhage following injury
- Intracranial injury
- Late effects of musculoskeletal and connective tissue injuries
- Late effects of injuries to the nervous system
- Unspecified injuries to the head resulting in an ongoing need for assistance with Activities of Daily Living
To qualify:
- Be 16 years or older.
- Need long-term services as you would get in a nursing home or a hospital.
- Be willing to get services in your home or community.
- Have a brain injury, which occurred before your 65th birthday (if it occurred after your 65th birthday, another program may be available to you).
- Have a diagnosis that fits within certain categories; see above for diagnoses that qualify.
- Meet financial determination requirements as outlined in the Colorado Code of Regulations and as determined by your local Department of Human Services.
Services & Supports
- Adult Day Services
- Assistive Devices
- Behavioral Management and Education
- Day Treatment
- Home Delivered Meals
- Home Modification
- Independent Living Skills Training (ILST)
- Medication Reminder
- Mental Health Counseling
- Non-Medical Transportation
- Peer Mentorship
- Personal Care (with Remote Supports options)
- Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
- Respite Care
- Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies
- Substance Abuse Counseling
- Supported Living Program
- Transition Set Up
- Transitional Living Program
Service Delivery Options / Additional Benefits
- Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS)
Visit the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing website for the most current information about the BI waiver.