What Is ALTCS?
Arizona has long been one of the most popular retirement destinations in America. It’s easy to see why. Warm weather year-round, beautiful desert scenery, lower cost of living, and a wide range of assisted living options make it an ideal location for seniors.
Many seniors choose assisted living communities like BridgeWater Assisted Living for their outstanding amenities. Residents enjoy restaurant-style dining, an onsite wellness center, and social activities that help them enjoy life in a safe and inviting environment.
Interested in making the move to an assisted living community but worried about paying for it? You’ll be glad to know there is a range of financial solutions available to help make the transition easier, even if your income is limited.
You May Qualify for ALTCS
One source of financial assistance to consider is the Arizona Long-Term Care System, or ALTCS (pronounced ALL-TEX). As a Medicaid program, ALTCS is government-funded health insurance for Arizona residents who require long-term care and are either 65 and over or have a disability. Since BridgeWater Assisted Living is Medicaid certified, ALTCS recipients can use their benefits to help pay for some of their long-term care in these communities.
Types of Care ALTCS Covers
Although ALTCS does not pay for room and board, you can use your benefits to help shoulder other associated costs of long-term care. Most often, residents rely on ALTCS for medical costs like medication management, nursing care, diagnostics exams, and preventative care check-ups.
Other services sometimes covered by ALTCS include:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy, like speech therapy
- Assistance with activities of daily living like grooming, bathing, etc.
- Transportation
How To Apply for ALTCS
Applying for ALTCS coverage is a two-step process. The first step is a financial assessment, followed by a medical assessment. It might be helpful to discuss your specific situation with a local ALTCS representative who can help determine your eligibility and walk you through the process. You can visit one of the seven physical offices throughout the state, call the toll-free number, or apply online. The application process, including all assessments, generally takes anywhere from 45 to 60 days to complete.
Arizona also provides a free service called Senior Planning to ensure every senior in Arizona receives the care they need. Representatives known as Eldercare Experts are available to answer questions and provide assistance with the ALTCS program.
Of course, our Community Benefits Advocates at BridgeWater Assisted Living are also well-versed in many different funding resources, including ALTCS, that might help make assisted living an affordable reality for you. They are happy to discuss your options with you.
See What BridgeWater Assisted Living Can Do for You
At BridgeWater Assisted Living, we believe that quality senior living should be affordable for everyone. Contact us to schedule a tour of one of our beautiful communities, talk with our Community Benefits Advocate about financing, or get more information. We offer a range of both independent and assisted living as well as memory care programs to address your needs.
Call us to find out how BridgeWater can help you and your family today!