Arizona and ALTCS: What is it and How Does it Help?
Summary:An explanation of what ALTCS is, and how it helps. We also share our findings of a survey we did of assisted living facilities in Arizona, and the percentage based on our findings that accept ALTCS. We include an infographic and video on this page explaining what ALTCS is, as well as a video tutorial on how to find assisted living providers that accept ALTCS.
Author:Trish Hughes Kreis exclusively for Assisted Living Directory
Finding a way to pay for the high cost of a Skilled Nursing Facility or Residential Care Facility or even home health care for you or a loved one can add a great deal of stress to an already difficult medical situation. Although private pay or private insurance are common ways to pay for this
care, nationwide over 50% of residents use some form of Medicaid to pay for nursing home care.
***The Median Monthly Cost for Assisted Living in Arizona (Private, One-Bedroom) is: $3,500
When the time has come to move to Assisted Living, it may also be time to check your medical/legal arrangements. An Advance Directive isnt just for older folks. Because unexpected situations can happen at any age, all adults need advance directives, notes Mayo Clinic in a website article, Living Wills and Advance Directives for Medical Decisions.
Many states have created specific programs within their federally funded Medicaid programs (for instance, waiver programs) to help defray these costs. Some states do not have separate waiver programs but still help cover the costs of skilled or assisted living facilities (or home health care) through their Medicaid program. Trying to decipher these programs (the application requirements, the benefits of the program as well as which homes and agencies accept the benefits) can be difficult, confusing and frustrating but are worth it in order to relieve financial concerns.
Arizona is one state who helps cover the cost of long term care through their Medicaid program, ALTCS.
What is ALTCS?
ALTCS is the Arizona Long Term Care System under the umbrella of the Arizona Medicaid Program AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System). It is designed for people who are 65 years or older and/or physically disabled or developmentally disabled and need services of a Skilled Nursing Facility or Assisted Living Facility. Many people on the program even live in their own home and receive in-home health services.
Infographic and video by Jackson White Elder Law Attorneys in Arizona.
[Video] How To Find An ALTCS Assisted Living Provider – Arizona Video Produced by Assisted Living Directory Our short video tutorial highlights a great tool to search for ALTCS senior care communities statewide
Who is Eligible?
There are three parts of the eligibility process: general, financial and medical.
General. The general requirements include being a U.S. citizen, having Arizona residency, having a social security number and living in an approved living arrangement (such as a participating care facility). It is also necessary to have applied for all potential sources of cash benefits before applying for ALTCS. As an example, if a person is eligible for pension benefits or VA benefits, it is necessary to apply for those potential sources of income before becoming eligible for ALTCS assistance.
Financial. Financial requirements for single applicants include not having more than $2,000 in countable resources (the specific financial requirement changes from year to year so this may slightly change in 2012). The limit changes for married couples and an applicant should ask for the Community Spouse Information Sheet during the application process. Arizonas Medicaid website has additional information about what is considered countable resources http://www.azahcccs.gov/community/Downloads/Publications/DE-828_english.pdf
Medical. Medical eligibility is determined after financial eligibility has been determined. A registered nurse or social worker will visit with the applicant to determine if the person is at immediate risk for institutionalization in a care facility.
A quick, but very good video (and infographic) explaining what ALTCS is
How Do I Apply?
It will be necessary to provide documents supporting financial and non-financial eligibility so be prepared to gather tax ALTCS program information for Arizona seniorsdocuments as well as your social security card and birth certificate. It may also be helpful to have a loved one or other representative work on your behalf to become eligible for ALTCS. Applications must be completed in person through a local ALTCS office and a list of ALTCS offices can be accessed at http://www.azahcccs.gov/applicants/application/ALTCSoffices.aspx?ID=ALTCS
Extra Tip: If assistance is needed with financial matters, its possible to also appoint a Representative Payee through Social Security. This can be useful when navigating the various programs available through Social Security (or just to change an address) and can be useful when navigating the Medicaid system although the Medicaid system will have their own additional forms to complete in order to appoint a representative.
What Happens if I am Denied?
Please keep in mind that more people are denied ALTCS benefits than are approved but do not let this be discouraging news. Mistakes are made and reversals happen frequently. Appealing a denial is strongly encouraged.
There is a specific set of rules for the appeals process which can bring a reversal of the denial. It is important to know the appeal process and to follow the instructions and timeline carefully. The ALTCS Member pamphlet, published through the Arizona Department of Economic Security, explains the appeal process and includes a variety of information about the ALTCS program.https://www.azdes.gov/InternetFiles/Pamphlets/pdf/PAD-465english.pdfs
Which Facilities Accept ALTCS?
Through an informal survey of several assisted living facilities throughout Arizona and listed at Assisted Living Directory, approximately seventy percent of the facilities that we asked/surveyed accept ALTCS (we were not able to find an ‘official’ exact percentage on any of the Arizona ALTCS information or government sites). In addition, Bridgeway Health Solutions, an HMO which provides services to those enrolled in ALTCS, lists over 400 assisted living facilities throughout Arizona accepting ALTCS.
John Hurbon, who with his wife runs the Arizona Skyline Assisted Living Home, LLC, accepts ALTCS at both of their 20-bed facilities in Benson, Arizona. John says that with both private pay and ALTCS funding, Quality care has to stay at a high level. John clearly cares for his residents and goes on to say, We have big hearts and we are blessed with a great staff. John and his wife are the kind of people you can feel comfortable caring for your loved one. Please visit their website through the Assisted Living Directory or at http://azskylinealh.com
Once approved for the ALTCS program, many care facilities are available throughout Arizona to care for you or a loved one.
A physical ALTCS location in Arizona (Photo by David):
Additional Sources:
– Article by Trish Hughes Kreis exclusively for Assisted Living Directory
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Copyright © by Harriet Hodgson
– Article by Harriet Hodgson exclusively for Assisted Living Directory
Lana Wrote:
I’m a student currently researching ALTCS. Does anyone know where I can find some recent statistics regarding information on the population they serve? William
24 January 2017 at 1:22 pm
Lana Wrote:
I am looking for a place for my mother, starting with private pay and eventually ALTCS. She needs help with just about everything but insist on being independent. She will be 90 in Jan.
30 Novemer 2016 at 7:22 am
Linda Wrote:
Thank you for this information. It would be helpful if you would post the links that are shown at the end of your video. Linda
7 September 2016 at 2:21 pm
Cecil Wrote:
My dad is 75 years old and got very sick suddenly. He only has Medicare Part A and was denied AHCCCS due to being over the income limit (although he only receives $816/month in Social Security and no other income). The Case Manager at a hospital he went to suggested applying for ALTCS. We applied and currently waiting for approval, just had the Medical Interview yesterday.
Does ALTCS cover physician fees that Medicare Part B would’ve normally covered, such as doctors who saw him while he was in the hospital? That’s the part that we’re struggling with, is we now have all these bills because he doesn’t have outpatient insurance.
22 May 2016 at 11:22 am
Dee Wrote:
Looking for a home for my 85 year old husband at the directed care level. He is on Mercy Care ALTCS .. Do you kmow of or how to find any private rooms available for immediate placement.
12 October 2015 at 10:21 am
Assisted Living Directory Wrote:
Hi Alex, thanks for the heads up. I put a link to the new handbook in the sidebar of this page. Thank you!
5 March 2015 at 11:23 am
Alex Wrote:
Keep in mind that ALTCS now has new eligibility manual which makes changes to the income and resource eligibility requirements going forward.
5 March 2015 at 11:21 am
Jeremy Wrote:
NextSteps is a great resource for this – like their finder tool. You can also look at private pay homes with them, but I would imagine all facilities take private pay if offered!
1 June 2014 at 2:53 pm
Kay Wrote:
It’s so hot down here in the valley today that I actually have time to research some of this stuff. Great information, thanks for putting this together Trish!
1 July 2013 at 10:51 pm
Marjorie Wrote:
We were driving through Arizona and noticed that ALTCS has ‘physical’ offices, which is pretty neat. They were very obvious and well marked with signage. I don’t remember seeing that before!
1 January 2012 at 11:55 am
Assisted Living with Arizona and ALTCS: What is it and How Does it Help?