Roadmap: Apply for Medicaid
Step 1: Timeline: Up to ~60 days (can vary)
Before someone can get waiver services, they must qualify for Medicaid first. Think of Medicaid as the first “yes” you need before the waiver part can move forward.
To apply, you will fill out two forms. One form is about your household (money and who lives in the home). The other form is about the person who needs services (their disability and how it affects daily life):
- Medicaid Application (for the household)
- Medicaid Disability Application (for the person applying for services)
Medicaid Application
This form helps decide if your family qualifies for Medicaid based on money (like income) and who lives in your home. You will list everyone in the household, even though only the person who needs services will be the one applying for Medicaid benefits.
Medicaid Disability Application
This form is only about the person who needs services. The state uses it to decide if the person meets the rules for having a disability. If the person already gets Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you usually do not need to fill out this form.
The goal of this packet is to help the state know which doctors and clinics to contact for medical records, and to understand how the disability affects everyday life (like dressing, eating, communicating, or staying safe).
When you fill it out:
- Write down the doctors, therapists, and other providers who know you or your family member well.
- If you or your family member received care mostly at a hospital like UCHealth or Children’s Hospital, you can list the hospital system instead of each individual provider.
On Page 3, be sure to:
- List all diagnoses (medical conditions)
- Explain how the disability makes daily tasks harder and what help is needed
- Share when the disability started (or when you first noticed concerns)
Also, complete Page 11. If a question does not fit your situation, write “not applicable (N/A)” instead of leaving it blank.
Submitting Your Application
The preferred way to apply is through PEAK (CO.gov/PEAK) (an online website where you can fill out and send in your Medicaid forms). Submitting through PEAK is often faster, and it can be easier to track your application and upload documents. If you cannot use PEAK, you can still fill out paper applications and turn them into your County Department of Human Services.
Make sure to save a copy of your application.
Financial Documentation
Please refer to the attached:
County Medicaid Financial Documentation Checklist
Important to Know: It is common for individuals to receive a denial at this stage. This does not mean the process is over. For many individuals, approval happens after multiple steps in the process are completed and reviewed together.