<![CDATA[Alpine Homecare, LLC - Alpine Homecare Blog]]>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:04:50 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Happy Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Week!]]>Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:38:29 GMThttps://www.alpinehomecare.com/alpine-homecare-blog/happy-direct-support-professionals-dsp-week
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2026 Colorado DSP Proclamation by Governor Polis
 
Governor Polis has proclaimed the week of September 13-19, 2026, Direct Support Professional Recognition Week in Colorado! Alliance is proud to have the opportunity to join the Governor in honoring the professionals that support individuals with disabilities.

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a person who works directly with people with disabilities to assist them in living person-centered and self-directed lives in their local community. DSPs assist in the daily living needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at home, school, work, and other community places. They are advocates, coaches, teachers, friends, and often family to the people they serve.
 
Download Governor Polis's Proclamation here as a pdf

Alpine would like to wish all its caregivers a Happy Direct Support Professionals Week!

]]><![CDATA[Alpine announces Employee of the Month Winners for August 2026!]]>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:58:39 GMThttps://www.alpinehomecare.com/alpine-homecare-blog/alpine-announces-employee-of-the-month-winners-for-august-2026

For outstanding service to our clients, Alpine Homecare is pleased to announce the following Employee of the Month winners for August 2026!

]]><![CDATA[Activ8 Health has replaced LLH under MSA - No changes to services]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:32:13 GMThttps://www.alpinehomecare.com/alpine-homecare-blog/activ8-health-has-replaced-llh-under-msa-no-changes-to-servicesAs of July 1, 2026 Activ8 Health has officially replaced LLH under the Master Services Agreement to provide certain Health Management Services to Alpine. With this assignment, there is no change to any commercial terms, offered services, rights or obligations other than the substitution of LLH as provider by Activ8 Health.

Please find the updated Member Packet (English & Spanish), as well as FAQs attached below. Additional info about the program can be found here:

https://www.alpinehomecare.com/supplemental-insurance-by-activ8health.html

If you have further questions, feel free to contact the Active8 Health support team at (888) 308-8085 or email help@active8healthllc.com.
activ8_memberpacket_4tier_05.2026.pdf
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activ8_health_member_packet_4tier_spanish_8.1.24.pdf
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activ8_health_member_packet_faq.pdf
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]]><![CDATA[Exemption Process for Caregivers exceeding the weekly cap limit]]>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 21:04:24 GMThttps://www.alpinehomecare.com/alpine-homecare-blog/exemption-process-for-caregivers-exceeding-the-weekly-cap-limitBackground:
On 7/1/2026 weekly caregiver soft caps were introduced in Colorado as follows:
Caregiver Weekly Hours Soft Cap:  Starting 7/1/2026, caregivers are limited to a maximum of 84 hours per week per Medicaid member. This cap reduces to 70 hours per week on 1/1/2027 and to 56 hours per week per Medicaid member on 7/1/2027. There is an exemption process for caregivers whose client requires more hours due to special circumstances. The exception process has to be initiated by the client's provider agency, reviewed / confirmed by the case manager and approved by HCPF.

Exception Process:
There are only Four Allowable Exception Categories:
1) Extraordinary Clinical Acuity: The member has a highly complex diagnosis or intense medical fragility. Requirement: There must be a documented health or safety risk to the member that cannot be reasonably reduced by alternative measures (like using Personal Protective Equipment).
2) Workforce Access Barriers: The member lives in a designated rural or frontier location where there are no local caregivers, or requires specialized skills/languages that are hard to find. Requirement: The provider must show documented proof of failed recruitment attempts to hire additional staff.   
3) Transitional or Stabilization Periods: The member is navigating a short-term crisis or major life change. Requirement: This applies to recent hospital discharges, post-crisis stabilization windows, or active recruiting windows right after suddenly losing an established caregiver.
4) End-of-Life Circumstances: The member is nearing the end of life. Requirement: Documentation must show that maintaining continuity with their primary, long-term caregiver is clinically appropriate for palliative or hospice-level care.

Core Requirements for a Successful Submission:
Even if you meet one of the categories above, general statements about staffing shortages are not enough. The state requires provider agencies to submit a thorough packet that proves the following:
Risk of Splitting Care: Clear proof detailing the exact clinical, behavioral, or safety risks the member would face if their care was split among multiple different caregivers.
Exhausted Alternatives: A log of what other options were considered and exactly why they failed or didn't work.
Compliance Plan: A detailed, time-limited plan outlining how the agency or employer intends to eventually find additional caregivers and come back into compliance with the standard limit.
Backup Staffing Plan: An active emergency preparedness and backup staffing strategy that has already been utilized before asking for the exception.

Timeline: Once the provider agency officially submits the request, a final determination typically takes 14 to 21 calendar days. 
Step 1: Case Management Agency Review (Up to 7 Days) — HCPF instantly forwards the submitted request to your case manager. The CMA must review the details and submit a formal attestation back to the state within 7 calendar days.
Step 2: State Evaluation (Up to 14 Days) — Once the case manager's attestation is in, HCPF begins its review. The state has 14 calendar days to issue an approval, partial approval, or denial. 
Potential Extension: Request for Information (Adds 7–14 Days) — If the state finds that the submission is missing medical logs or proof of failed hiring attempts, they will issue a Request for Information (RFI). The provider agency has then 7 days to submit the missing paperwork, and HCPF will take up to another 7 days to issue a final verdict. 

What happens while the approval is pending?
Clients do not need to worry about losing care during this review window. The state operates under a safe harbor rule, meaning that the caregiver can legally continue working and billing for hours above the cap while the exception request is sitting in "pending" status. Care will not be disrupted while waiting for the final determination.]]><![CDATA[Exemption Process for Clients Exceeding the Annual Service Cap Limits:]]>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 20:39:46 GMThttps://www.alpinehomecare.com/alpine-homecare-blog/exemption-process-for-clients-exceeding-the-annual-service-cap-limitsBackground: 
Effective April 1, 2026 soft caps on home care services were introduced in Colorado, limiting the amount of Personal Care, Homemaker, and Health Maintenance Activities (HMA) services that a Medicaid client can receive annually. These caps were designed to help manage Medicaid spending. The specific limits are: 
Health Maintenance Activities (HMA): Up to 19,000 units per year (about 13 hours per day), Personal Care: Up to 10,000 units per year (about 6.8 hours per day) and Homemaker: Up to 4,500 units per year (about 3 hours per day)

Exception Process: High-acuity Medicaid members whose documented medical needs surpass the annual soft caps for Personal Care, Homemaker, or Health Maintenance Activities (HMA) can have their assigned case manager request an exception from the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF). 

Specifically, individuals enrolled in Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) who demonstrate a clinical need exceeding standard annual limits (such as 10,000 units for Personal Care or 19,000 units for HMA) or clients with a documented need, i.e. members requiring extra support due to complex medical conditions, specialized care requirements, or intense daily functional dependencies. 

How the Exception Process Works: Initiated by Case Management! The member or their representative cannot apply directly; instead, they must work through their designated case manager (from their local Case Management Agency, e.g. RMHS or Developmental Pathways). Review and Submission: The case manager reviews the client's medical necessity, assesses the Prior Authorization Request (PAR), and submits the formal request for additional service units up the chain to state authorities. Timeline: The process is expected to take 30-60 days from submission to determination.]]><![CDATA[Alpine announces Employee of the Month Winners for July 2026!]]>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:51:53 GMThttps://www.alpinehomecare.com/alpine-homecare-blog/alpine-announces-employee-of-the-month-winners-for-july-2026
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For outstanding service to our clients, Alpine Homecare is pleased to announce the following Employee of the Month winners for July 2026!

]]><![CDATA[Alpine announces Employee of the Month Winners for June 2026!]]>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 19:25:35 GMThttps://www.alpinehomecare.com/alpine-homecare-blog/alpine-announces-employee-of-the-month-winners-for-june-2026
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For outstanding service to our clients, Alpine Homecare is pleased to announce the following Employee of the Month winners for June 2026!

]]><![CDATA[Joint Budget Committee announces 2% rate cut and caregiver soft cap]]>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 04:29:04 GMThttps://www.alpinehomecare.com/alpine-homecare-blog/joint-budget-committee-announces-2-rate-cut-and-caregiver-soft-capIn its meeting on 03/31/26, Colorado's Joint Budget Committee announced the following measures impacting the home care industry to combat Medicaid spending growth and the impacts of HR 1:

1) Across-the-Board Reimbursement Rate Cut: (new)
A 2% across-the-board rate cut for all Medicaid providers, effective 7/1/2026. This is on top of the 1.6% take-back from October 2025.

2) Soft Cap on Caregiver Weekly Hours: (new)
A soft cap on caregiver maximum weekly hours of 84 hours starting 7/1/2026, dropping to 70 hours as of 01/01/2027 and finally reaching 56 hours per week (per Medicaid member) on 7/1/2027. There will be an exemption process defined for caregivers that require more hours.

3) Soft Caps on Services: 
The previously announced caps on Personal Care, Homemaker and Health Maintenance Activities (HMA) that will limit annual utilization to 19,000 units for HMA (about 13 hours per day), 10,000 units for Personal Care (about 6.8 hours per day) and 4,500 units for Homemaker (about 3 hours per day).

These changes will likely start go into effect 04/01/2026. Case management will have until 11/30/2026 to ensure that all PARs are within these limits. There will be an exception process for high acuity clients who have a demonstrated need for services above these caps. 

4) Legally Responsible Homemaker: As also previously announced, Legally Responsible Homemaker services will be reduced to a max of 7 hours per week (from 10 hours) per Medicaid client.

The above measures will undoubtedly present very significant challenges to clients, caregivers and providers alike. Alpine Homecare reiterates its commitment to the following:
- We will do our utmost to help and guide our clients and caregivers through the changes caused by these measures.
- We will be working with our clients and caregivers to minimize any negative impact from complying with these new service/caregiving restrictions.
- We will continue to advocate on behalf of our clients and caregivers.
- We will continue to provide the best service possible to our clients.
​Please contact Alpine at 303 309 6202 for additional information or any questions on this. ]]><![CDATA[Alpine introduces new EVV System on 04/04/2026 - IMPORTANT PLEASE READ]]>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:49:57 GMThttps://www.alpinehomecare.com/alpine-homecare-blog/alpine-introduces-new-evv-system-on-04042026-important-please-readIMPORTANT! – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY! – SERIOUSLY – DON’T IGNORE THIS MESSAGE!

Dear Alpine Caregivers,

We have some exciting news! On Saturday, April 4, 2026, Alpine will be switching to a new and improved EVV (Electronic Visit Verification) system called AlayaCare. We believe this upgrade will make your work easier and more streamlined. Please read the information below carefully so you know exactly what to expect.

What does that mean for Caregivers:

1. If you are a Live-in caregiver: No changes. Just continue to do what you are doing. However, at a later stage you might notice a different look of our timesheets and you will also be able to fill out these new timesheets online (optional) and get them signed later  by the client and yourself.  

2. If you are a telephony user: Starting Saturday, April 4th, 2026 you will start dialing Alpine’s new telephony number: 720 223 1375 to clock in/out. During the clock-out process for telephony you will now be able to check off the service tasks you performed during the visit and they will automatically fill out a timesheet that can later be signed by the client and yourself (Option 1). If you do not want to check off service tasks during the clock out process (Option 2), you can simply hang up after your clock out has been recorded and continue to fill out a paper timesheet by hand as before.
 
3. If you are a mobile app user: Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, depending on your phone, or scan the QR-code below and download the AlayaCare App:
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Once downloaded, you will be prompted to enter your Server name:
alpine.alayacare.com (You will only need to enter this once upon your first initial login)  
Enter your email address (as on record with Alpine) and click Forgot Password, to set up a new password. If you are not sure what these details are, please reach out to Alpine at 303 309 6202.  

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Once you are logged in, you will be able to clock in/out and check off service tasks and collect a client’s signature with the mobile app. You will not need to fill out a separate paper timesheet.  

Please note that if you use the OLD telephony number or the OLD mobile app after April 3, 2026, your clock-in/out will NOT BE RECORDED, even if you receive system confirmation.

Additionally, Alpine strongly recommends that all caregivers download the AlayaCare App, even if they are not using it for Clocking in/out, since Alpine is going to be using the app for caregiver communications, shift offers and the signing and filling out of caregiver-related forms.

Questions? We Are Here to Help!
If you have any questions or run into trouble downloading or setting up the app, please do not hesitate to reach out. We want to make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone!

                              Call Alpine Homecare: 303-309-6202
           Thank you for all that you do. We appreciate each and every one of you!
                                   The Alpine Homecare Team 

For additional EVV info click here: https://www.alpinehomecare.com/evv.html​
For caregiver FAQs click here: https://www.alpinehomecare.com/evv-caregiver-faqs.html​
For instructions videos click here: ​https://www.alpinehomecare.com/evv-instruction-videos.html

]]><![CDATA[Alpine pays out 401 (k) Employer Match of up to 2%]]>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 21:52:27 GMThttps://www.alpinehomecare.com/alpine-homecare-blog/alpine-pays-out-401-k-employer-match-of-up-to-2
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Dear Alpine Caregivers,

This is just a friendly heads-up that all Alpine caregivers that are enrolled in Alpine's 401 (k) program (and are either still employed with Alpine or worked at least 500 hours in 2025) will be receiving their Employer match payment directly into their 401 (k) account with Nationwide.

The Employer Match was processed with the 03/06/2026 payroll and should be received within the next couple of weeks. Alpine is paying 0.25% for each 1% contribution, up to a maximum of 2% of annual contributions.

If you are interested in saving for your retirement call Alpine during regular office hours at 303 309 6202.

Thank you for all your hard work and dedication!!!

​Alpine Homecare, LLC

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