Alternative Care Facilities

Alternative Care Facilities (ACF) are Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) certified assisted living residences that offer elders and persons with disabilities health services in a community setting, which include:

24-hour protective oversight
Daily living skills assistance
Personal care services
Homemaker services

ACF services are available to clients enrolled in the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) waiver, the Community Mental Health Supports (CMHS) waiver, and the Medicaid Buy-In Program.

Required Training

New ACF Provider Training - Updated June 2015 - required as part of the enrollment process for all new ACF providers

Exisiting ACF Provider Training - Updated June 2015 - required as part of the revalidation process for all exisiting ACF providers

Optional Assessment Tools

The following assessment tools are offered to assist facilities in performing robust assessment processes prior to admission decisions. These assessment tools are not required, but are provided for optional use by Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) and Alternative Care Facilities (ACFs).

Disclaimer: Use of these documents does not constitute nor imply any compliance with Federal or State rules and regulations. All facilities must follow their own internal guidelines and policies for admission. All facilities are responsible for gathering the appropriate information required to ensure the facility is able to meet the needs of each individual admitted.

Choose the version that works best for your agency.

Cooking Assessment - Word fillable form version | Word 97-2003 print only version
- Cooking Assessment Instructions
Fall Risk Assessment - Word fillable form version | Word 97-2003 print only version
- Fall Risk Assessment Instructions
Individual - Family Evaluation - Word fillable form version | Word 97-2003 print only version
- Individual Family Evaluation Instructions
Initial Resident Assessment Team Determination - Word fillable form version | Word 97-2003 print only version
- Initial Resident Assessment Team Determination Instructions
Physician/Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner Evaluation - Word fillable form version | Word 97-2003 print only version
- Physician/Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner Evaluation Instructions
Pre-Admission Assessment - Word fillable form version | Word 97-2003 print only version
- Pre-Admission Assessment Instructions
St. Louis University Mental Status Examination (SLUMS)

Other Resources

HCBS Final Rule Provider Training and ACF Updates - Updated September 2015
Dear Administrator Letter for Room and Board - December 2014
HOPE Model - March 2013
Rules - All ACFs must comply with waiver requirements found in Section 1902(c) of the Social Security Act, 6 C.C.R. 1011-1, Chapter VII §1.102 of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Regulations for Assisted Living Residences and 10 C.C.R. 2505-10, §8.495 of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing requirements for Alternative Care Facilities

Questions? Caitlin.Phillips@state.co.us ACF Specialist