"Depending on the circumstances": what Colorado said about caregivers this week
Hi Caregivers and Caregiver Advocates!
Thank you to the 736 of you who have signed.
On October 26, Colorado's Medicaid agency held a webinar on the new federal work requirements. I watched the recording for one answer: how will family caregivers be counted? The Medicaid director's honest answer was that caregiving "may be a specified exclusion... or may count as work... depending on the circumstances."
Here's what's settled: family caregivers can be excluded, and HCPF says Colorado plans to accept your signed statement in 2027. What isn't: what proof will count in 2028.
On Friday, CASI submitted eight comments to HCPF on its caregiver form, including allowing more than one care recipient, saying how paid family caregivers are treated, and naming the proof for 2028 now.
And AARP's new study shows what's at stake: family caregivers of adults spend an average of $11,508 a year of their own money on care, 31% of household income.
What you can do this week:
- Start a simple record of the days and hours you provide care.
- Ask to be included in HCPF's 2028 planning: HCPF_stakeholders@state.co.us
Take the Caring Costs Survey, in English or Spanish: casiadvocacy.org/research
Read the full piece: [https://therevenueneutralcaregiver.substack.com/p/the-research-desk-6-depending-on?r=6a52ih&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true]
Kindly and Gratefully,
Mark Fukae - CASI (Caregiver Advocacy Support Initiative), Director of Advocacy - Professionals Who Care
En español: Gracias a las [PETITION COUNT] personas que han firmado. Esta semana el programa de Medicaid de Colorado dijo que la forma de contar a los cuidadores todavía "depende de las circunstancias." En 2027, Colorado planea aceptar su declaración firmada. Empiece a anotar los días y horas en que cuida, y complete la encuesta de CASI en español en casiadvocacy.org/research.