Our Blog on Medicaid Services and Community Resources in Colorado
Reading time: 5 minutes
By: Zachary Thallas

At a Glance
- Definition and purpose of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
- How NEMT businesses improve access to healthcare across Colorado
- Key compliance and safety standards followed by licensed providers
- Role of technology, training, and accessibility in ensuring quality service
- How NEMT providers strengthen partnerships between patients, caregivers, and medical facilities
Why We’re Launching This Blog
Nearly 20 years ago, Golden Gate Manor Inc. started with a simple mission: provide quality assisted living and help residents thrive day to day. That work revealed another need — reliable medical transportation — and we stepped up. Since then, we've continued growing alongside Southern Colorado, adding medical supplies and fuel stations to better serve the families who count on us.
One of the biggest challenges we see across Pueblo and the surrounding communities isn't just access to programs like medical ride services, medical supply coverage, or assisted living support — it's understanding how these programs work in the first place. Navigating insurance requirements and figuring out what resources are actually available can feel overwhelming. It's hard to know where to start, let alone when you've found everything you need.
That's where this blog comes in.
This launch marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to share honest, reliable, community-focused information. Through stories, guides, and educational content, we want to help individuals and families navigate Medicaid services, understand their rights, and find the medical equipment and supplies that make independent living possible.
We are Southern Colorado proud, and we're ready to build something meaningful together. If you have any questions you would like answered or if there is any content you would like to see here, don't hesitate to reach out to us and we may be able to incorporate some information into one of our upcoming posts.
What You Can Expect From This Blog
Medicaid Guidance for Everyday People
Navigating Medicaid systems can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to understand:
- What NEMT (non-emergency medical rides) actually cover
- What factors affect how many non-medical trips DHS approves?
- How assisted living Medicaid payments really work
- What medical supplies at this time are covered items from Medicaid or Medicare
- How to avoid insurance headaches like duplicate orders or fraud alerts
We don’t claim to be state policymakers — but we are deeply involved in these systems every day.
Think of us as your guides, helping you understand how to get from point A to point B with confidence.
We’ll regularly publish content on:
- NEMT (non-emergency medical rides) — coverage, rules, tips, and updates
- Non-medical transportation (HCBS requirements, DHS process)
- Assisted living Medicaid topics
- Medical supply coverage basics
- Eligibility, paperwork, and forms
- Waivers, changes, and statewide updates
Our goal?
Clarity, honesty, and accessibility for every reader.
Spotlight on Our Departments
NEMT & City Cab Transportation
Many people don’t realize how wide medical transportation coverage truly is.
It’s not just doctor visits — NEMT (non-emergency medical rides) covers dental, vision, dialysis, surgeries, mental health appointments, and more, as long as medical necessity and Medicaid coverage align.
And while transportation is the most visible part of our company (40+ vehicles traveling across Southern Colorado), it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Through this blog, we’ll explain the real rules, share helpful scenario examples, and break down common misconceptions — all while giving you a look into how we maintain professionalism, safety, and longevity as the oldest transportation provider in the region.
Our ongoing goal for 2025–2026 is simple:
Continue expanding our ability to serve Southern Colorado reliably and responsibly.
Assisted Living Homes (ACF)
Our assisted living homes operate differently from traditional facilities.
They look and feel like real homes — because they are.
Residents enjoy:
- Comfortable living spaces
- Supportive daily assistance
- Respect for autonomy
- A true family-like environment
Families consistently thank us for providing a safe, warm home where their loved ones can live independently while receiving the support they need. We also plan to highlight that our homes have availability, and our onboarding process is intentionally simple and accommodating.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) & Supplies
One of the biggest challenges people face is understanding what Medicaid actually covers. Insurance language is complicated, fee schedules aren’t user-friendly, and medical necessity rules confuse almost everyone, even sometimes professionals in the field.
We’re here to help simplify that.
Through this blog, we’ll walk through:
- Common supply categories (wound care, incontinence, mobility, ostomy, urology, etc.)
- How to start the conversation with your doctor
- What “medical necessity” means and why it matters
- How to choose the right products for your needs
Future posts will include step-by-step guides and educational videos to help you make informed decisions about medical supplies — and feel confident using the equipment you already have. Knowing how to operate equipment safely and properly matters more than people realize. Improper use can lead to injuries or slow down healing, and the whole point is to support your independence and recovery.
Gas & Goods (Our Growing Expansion)
Our new Golden Gate Gas & Goods locations represent another piece of our community investment.
We want to contribute more than services — we want to support everyday life in Pueblo through:
- Clean, safe, accessible convenience stores
- Affordable gas pricing
- Positive energy environments
- Continued expansion based on community need
While these won't be the main focus of the blog, they're part of our story — and a symbol of our commitment to Pueblo's growth.
Community-Focused Content You’ll See Soon
We want this blog to become one of Southern Colorado’s most trusted resource hubs — not just for Medicaid services, but for community knowledge as a whole.
Upcoming series will explore:
- Senior services available across each city
- Food assistance and community support organizations
- Healthcare providers, clinics, and specialty resources
- Housing support programs
- Local transportation options
- Awareness days that highlight invisible disabilities and community challenges
- City-by-city “What’s Available in Your Area?” guides
Our goal is to empower people with knowledge that goes beyond our own business — because a healthier community starts with shared information.
Our Purpose Moving Forward
At Golden Gate Manor Inc., our purpose is to:
Bridge the gap to accessible and affordable medical services.
We hope this blog becomes a place where Southern Colorado residents can find support, clarity, and a little less confusion when navigating these systems. That's what we're here for.
And if you ever need an immediate answer while browsing, our website assistant Goldman is available to help guide you anytime. We have him trained on a big chunk of our overall business and will be continuing to update and improve his accessibility and his overall knowledgebase.
