ALTCS or Arizona Long Term Care Services is an Arizona Medicaid program that is designed to help fixed-income seniors and other disabled individuals afford the care that they need. ALTCS pays for the care that you need after savings are exhausted.
How do I apply for ALTCS?
To apply, you need to complete an application.
Another person can act on your behalf during the application process, such as a finance professional.
You will need to provide documents to show that you meet financial and non-financial eligibility requirements.
It must be determined that you require a nursing home level of care.
But what are the Non-Financial Eligibility Requirements?
- To be eligible for ALTCS, you must:
- Be determined in need of a nursing home level of care as determined by AHCCCS; Be a citizen or qualified immigrant;
- Have a Social Security Number (SSN) or apply for one; Be an Arizona resident;
- Apply for all cash benefits that you may be entitled to, such as Pensions or VA benefits;
- Live in an approved living arrangement, such as your own home, or an AHCCCS certified nursing facility or assisted living facility.
What are the Different Types of ALTCS Services?
Once you have been determined eligible for ALTCS services, you will be enrolled with a Program Contractor and assigned to a case manager. The case manager will meet with you and your family to develop a service plan. Covered services may include the following:
- Institutional Care in a Nursing Facility;
- Home and Community Based Services, combining out-patient and in-home care;
- Medical Services, such as Doctor’s office visits and prescriptions (prescription coverage is limited for people with Medicare);
- Behavioral health services;
- Preventive and well care for children; and Hospice services.
How does ALTCS Determine if I am Medically Eligible?
Once you have been determined financially eligible, a registered nurse or social worker will decide if you are medically eligible in a face-to-face interview. To meet medical requirements, you must be at immediate risk of institutionalization in a nursing facility or intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (you must require that level of care, but you do not necessarily need to reside in a facility).
Will I Have to Pay Any of My Income Toward the Cost of My Care?
Not necessarily. Once you have been determined eligible for ALTCS, a calculation will be made to determine if, or how much, you will need to pay towards the cost of your nursing home or home and community-based services.
This amount is called the Share of Cost. First, your monthly gross income will be totaled, and then the following deductions may be allowed:
- A personal needs allowance;
- A Community Spouse allowance for the needs of your spouse still living in the home; A family allowance for any dependents living in your home;
- A home maintenance allowance if you are in a nursing home but will go home within 6 months; Your medical insurance premiums; and
- Medical expenses that ALTCS does not pay for like hearing aids, eyeglasses, and dental care.
If you would like to explore more about ALTCS and senior insurance, you can reach out to Innovative Broker Partners. As part of our trusted coalition here at Senior Resource Connectors, they will be able to guide you on the next best steps for your new journey. Alternatively, get in touch with our clinical concierge at no cost to you for the best referral within our trusted network of companies.
Our mission at Senior Resource Connectors is to provide Arizona seniors and their loved ones easy access to the most trusted and highly professional resources for care as they encounter the many physical and emotional challenges that come with aging today.
