Respite Benefit Updates:

Enhancing Flexibility for Families and Providers

What’s New

The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) is introducing a package of respite policy updates across children’s and adult waivers. These changes are designed to improve clarity, consistency, and access to respite care—helping families and providers better navigate the benefit. One important piece of this effort is the addition of a Group Respite option under the Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP) waiver, but several other updates are also underway.

What’s Changing?

• CHRP Group Respite – New Service Delivery Option
• Families with more than one child on a waiver will be able to use a single provider for group respite, similar to what is already allowed in the CES waiver
• A new procedure code and rate will be introduced
• This change is cost-neutral and has the goal of reducing administrative burden for families and providers
  
• Over-the-Cap Respite Clarifications
• Current rules for requesting respite beyond the standard limit are vague. Rule revisions will align criteria across waivers, clarifying that requests must be based on a medical or behavioral need as already stated in approved waiver language.
  
• CwCHN Waiver Alignment
• An exceptions process will be added to the Children with Complex Health Needs (CwCHN) waiver so families can request respite Over-the-Cap, bringing it in line with other children’s waivers.
  
•  Clarity on Paid Caregivers
• Families where the primary caregiver is also a paid caregiver for select services can still access respite, but will not qualify for Over-the-Cap respite. This update makes the existing policy more consistent.
  
• Adult Waiver Update – Supported Living Services (SLS)
• A new cap will limit respite to 30 consecutive days per certification period. This ensures that respite remains a short-term, temporary support and aligned with federal definitions.

Why These Changes?

Together, these updates:

• Reduce barriers for families needing respite.

• Ensure consistency across waivers.

• Provide clearer rules for case managers and providers.

• Strengthen the role of respite as a temporary, flexible support service.

Timeline and Implementation

Opportunities for Input

HCPF has used a multi-channel approach to share updates and gather input on proposed changes to respite services. The following opportunities for engagement remain:

Website: Proposed changes will be posted to the respite webpage. 

Stakeholder Group Input: Stakeholders are invited to comment through groups such as the Children's Disability Advisory Committee (CDAC). 



The next occurrence is October 8, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Join via Google Meet | Join by phone: 650-667-2698‬; PIN: ‪194 068 900‬#

Public Rule Review Meeting (PRRM): Proposed rule changes will be reviewed during the PRRM.

The meeting with be held October 20, 2025 at 9 a.m.

Join via Zoom| Passcode: 677654 



Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request for persons with disabilities. Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities and language services for individuals whose first language is not English may be provided upon request.

Please contact HCPF's 504/ADA Coordinator at hcpf504ada@state.co.us at least one week prior to the scheduled meeting to make arrangements.