Who Can Help Me with My ALTCS Application?
If you or a family member has made the decision to join an assisted living community in the state of Arizona, you will, of course, have a lot of considerations to make. You’ll want a place that provides the very best of care, as well as a vibrant social life and easy access for friends and loved ones.
Needless to say, the cost is also a consideration: fortunately, the state of Arizona provides financial assistance for fixed-income seniors, disabled individuals, and other people in need. The Arizona Long-Term Care System—ALTCS for short—is a state Medicaid program designed to help families that may require aid.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for ALTCS, there are two assessments that are made. The first is a financial assessment, to determine whether the individual applying indeed requires the monetary help that the program provides. The second is a functional and medical assessment. The latter will determine if a person truly needs the long-term care that an assisted living community provides.
To determine if you or your family member are eligible for the program, you will need to fill out an ALTCS application.
How Does the Application Work?
Because there are two elements to the application, the process of applying for ALTCS takes a certain amount of time: generally about 45 to 60 days from start to finish. First, you need to contact your local county ALTCS office directly. You will either talk directly to someone or you may need to leave a message. If you do have to leave a message, make sure you include the contact information for the individual applying.
The financial element is the first part of the application. You need to disclose income and other financial information for yourself or your loved one. This is assessed before the second element of the application begins: the medical examination. A medical professional will be sent to evaluate the applicant’s needs. The more assistance the person applying requires the more points they receive on their evaluation, with 60 points being the highest possible number.
How Can I Get Help with My Application?
The ALTCS application process can be a long and frustrating one. That’s why it’s best to have help from a trusted source.
Perhaps the best source is the assisted living community that you or your loved one is planning to join. The right community will not only provide excellent care, but the staff will also help you get the ball rolling on financial aid should it be required.
BridgeWater Assisted Living has Community Benefits Advocates to offer help with an ALTCS application and to answer any questions you may have. In many cases, you may need care immediately and not be able to wait for the 45 to 60 days that an application normally takes. With the help of a Community Benefits Advocate, you can sometimes get assistance more quickly.
After a successful application, BridgeWater Assisted Living will help you to select a provider and begin the process of moving yourself or your loved one in.