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Arizona Long Term Care System

Medicaid / ALTCS Share Of Cost

​When a person is on Medicaid / ALTCS (Arizona Long Term Care System) they are obligated to “pay what they can” for their care.  The state recognizes that the member may need their income when they reside at home. Therefore, the state allows the member to keep their income to help pay for the costs to live and receive services while residing at home. (Rules may not allow for this if the member has an Income Only Trust.)
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​However, when the member is in a residential setting like a skilled nursing center, or an assisted living facility, the member must pay a “share of the cost” for their services. Arizona calls the amount paid towards care different depending on the type of setting the person lives in, but the amount is evaluated generally the same way.
  • If the member is in a skilled nursing center the amount is called “Share of Cost” and it is determined by Medicaid / ALTCS.
  • When in an alternative setting, the amount is called the “Room and Board” amount, and it is determined by the program contractor.
​The share of cost/room and board amount varies from person to person. The amount primarily depends on the amount of the recipient’s monthly income and whether the recipient is married. Generally speaking, single applicants pay the facility all of their monthly income, less insurance costs, and a lesser Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) of $110.25 as the amount due for their care.
​With married applicants, the calculation is somewhat more complicated.
Medicaid / ALTCS has adopted the policy that a community spouse is entitled to a monthly income of at least $2,003. If the community spouse’s income falls short of this amount, the community spouse can draw from the applicant spouse’s income to bring his or her income up to $2,003. The applicant spouse then takes a Personal Needs Allowance of $110.25, and any remaining monthly income goes to the facility. Also, if the community spouse pays their own utilities, ALTCS allows the community spouse to take an additional allowance based on the amount paid out.
An example of this is:
Well-spouse makes $500/month
Ill-spouse makes $1,800.00/month
If the ill spouse goes to the nursing home, the well-spouse can keep $1,503 from ill-spouse’s income, and the ill spouse gets $110.25. Therefore, the share of cost would be assessed at $186.76.
PNA $2,003 - $500 = $1,503  ($1,503 is what the well spouse keeps)
$1,800 - $1,503 = $297             ($297 of ill spouse left after well spouse deduction)
$297 - $110.25 = $186.76          ($186.76 is what is left for the "Share Of Cost" this is paid to health care provider)

After the "Share Of Cost" is determined and paid to the facility or care provider, Medicaid/ALTCS will then pay the difference between the "Share Of Cost" and the amount agreed upon for that service (Medicaid creates the total dollar amount for type of service provided they are willing to pay) Not all care providers are contracted with Medicaid / ALTCS. 
Paying share of cost is an important part of a member’s responsibility of receiving this benefit.  Considering that the average cost of skilled nursing care in Maricopa County is more than $6,400 per month, even applicants with relatively high incomes still have much to gain from qualifying for Medicaid / ALTCS. 
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Also take into considerations that there are limited resources and providers that actually contract with Medicaid / ALTCS, for reimbursement of services.

    More Information about Share Of Cost

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For Help or Information Please Call 480-795-7776
​Email: [email protected]
​Fax: 480-795-7717
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Americas Top Assisted Living Resources LLC  is a locally owned and operated agency in the State of Arizona providing quality assistance to families throughout the State of Arizona. Selecting a long-term care facility can be an overwhelming experience. To help you and your family through this transition we have compiled information to help you make the right decision & determine what level of care you or your loved one requires. Our only objective is to assist your family find direction,
​well being, and ultimately peace of mind.

We offer comprehensive resources to guide families through all of the senior housing options and elder
care needs. At Americas Top Assisted Living Resources LLC, We staff knowledgeable consultants helping
​seniors and their families make informed, educated decisions regarding all options available.
​
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  • Home
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Blog
    • Articles
  • Living Options
    • In Home Care
    • Transition & Relocating >
      • Assessment Information
      • FAQ's
    • Assisted Living Home
    • Assisted Living Communities
    • Skilled Nursing Facility
    • Memory Care
  • Resource Directory
    • Assisted Livings
    • Independent Living
    • Resources
  • Paying For Care
    • ALTCS / Medicaid
    • V.A. Benefits
    • Medicare Insurance
    • Elder Law
    • Estate Planning
    • Retirement Planning
  • End of Life
    • Hospice >
      • Palliative
      • Earlier Admission Benefits
    • Funeral Services >
      • Preplan Your Funeral
      • Obituaries