The Home and Community Based Services waiver for persons with Spinal Cord Injury (HCBS-SCI) provides assistance to individuals with spinal cord injuries who require long-term supports and services to remain in a community setting.
Eligibility is limited to individuals age 18 and older residing in the Denver Metro Area who have been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury. Individuals must have a significant functional impairment—identified through a comprehensive assessment using the Uniform Long Term Care (ULTC) assessment tool—and require long-term support services at a level comparable to those typically provided in a nursing facility or hospital.
The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (the Department) provides these community-based services to support individuals and their families:
The Department also includes Complementary and Integrative Health Services (chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage) in the HCBS-SCI Waiver to treat conditions or symptoms related to spinal cord injuries. While these services are optional for participants, the Department uses this program to evaluate their effectiveness and impact on other waiver and acute care services. An independent evaluation will continue through this waiver cycle, with a final report in year five. Results may support expanding these services beyond current geographic limits and target populations.