Medicaid / ALTCS

Arizona Long Term Care System

​Medicaid / ALTCS Eligibility
The Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS / Medicaid) provides health care, behavioral health, and long-term care services to eligible Arizona residents. ALTCS / Medicaid services are provided to eligible individuals with developmental disabilities. Services are funded under a contract with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).

​When you become eligible you will be signed up for an acute health plan. You may change your acute health plan. See “Acute Health Plan Options” for more information and plan services. You will also need to pick a doctor. If you do not choose a doctor within 10 calendar days, the acute health plan will assign one to you. See “Primary Care Provider” for more information.

While considering if this is the right course of action for you and or your loved one, keep in mind that once on Medicaid / ALTCS your health care and housing needs become limited to only the companies that are contracted to accept Medicaid / ALTCS insurance.

If you have the ability to afford these types of services you will have more options available to you and your family. If you are unsure, please contact us. 

​Share of Cost
You may need to pay a Share of Cost. Your Share of Cost is based on the income and benefits you get. AHCCCS calculates your Share of Cost. If you live in a nursing facility or institution, do not pay the nursing facility or institution directly for your Share of Cost. You will get a monthly bill from the Department of Economic Security’s Office of Accounts Receivable.

​Medical Eligibility
To qualify medically for the ALTCS / Medicaid benefit, applicants must undergo a medical screening, face-to-face, process known as the PAS (Pre-Admission Screen). Applicants begin by providing an assessor with personal information such as age, date of birth, living arrangements, and physician information. The assessor then evaluates the applicant’s health by examining aspects such as continence, behavior, and whether the applicant requires assistance with daily activities. Finally, ALTCS /Medicaid determines medical eligibility by assigning a numerical score based on PAS evaluation and previous medical records.

​Prior to the PAS, most ALTCS Medicaid applicants will meet with a hospital discharge planner, social worker, or other health care professional who can give them insight as to whether they qualify medically for the ALTCS /Medicaid benefit. In addition to seeking guidance from one of these professionals, applicants should describe symptoms and behaviors that occur on their worst days when speaking with the PAS assessor, as this will best illustrate their need for assistance.

​As long as applicants genuinely need daily, hands-on assistance, they should not have difficulty meeting ALTCS /Medicaid  medical requirements. They may find more difficulty, however, in preparing to meet ALTCS / Medicaid Financial Requirements.

How to Apply for ALTCS / Medicaid
Patients and their families seeking help in applying for the ALTCS/Medicaid benefit can use this information.
Application Process
Documents check list

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