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Does Arizona Pay For In-Home Care?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Arizona pays for in-home care through its Family Caregiver Support Program. Also known as Arizona Long Term Care Services (ALTCS), this program pays caregivers an hourly rate for providing in-home care services for program beneficiaries.
What Services DoesALTCS Pay For?
ALTCS pays for several levels of senior care. Program participants can use the program to help with the cost of nursing home care, but it also supports home care and in-home health care services. The program also pays for various senior living supports to help enrollees age in place, such as transportation assistance and home-delivered meals. ALTCS also provides for limited outpatient medical services, such as office visits and some prescription coverage, though this is mainly a supplement to seniors’ Medicare Part D benefits.
How Does ALTCS Work?
Who is Eligible for ALTCS?
Seniors in Arizona may be eligible to participate in ALTCS if they qualify for Medicaid and score at least 60 on a medical exam assessing how well they can function in a home environment. To qualify for ALTCS, Arizona seniors must be at least 65 years old, earn no more than 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate and have a mental, physical or age-related disability that limits their ability to safely age in place at home. As part of the intake process, a caseworker meets with the applicant and performs a home inspection to assess their needs.
A comprehensive plan of care is developed and caregiver hours assigned according to the senior’s individual needs. A medical examination and doctor’s referral is typically required as part of the application process, along with proof of income and assets, residency in Arizona and U.S. citizenship.