The Arizona Long Term Care System is a programme that gives long-term care in the state of Arizona (ALTCS). This programme covers people who are 65 years old or older or who are disabled and need long-term care in places like nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.
Whether or not a person is eligible for this programme depends on more than just their age and whether or not they have a disability. Here are some of the additional requirements:
- Citizenship: Applicants must be United States citizens who live in the state of Arizona. Lawful resident aliens may also qualify.
- Monthly Income: The income can't be more than $1,869 a month. There are, however, exceptions for people who have been approved by AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Arizona's Medicare programme). AHCCS applicants may have a higher income than the monthly income amount.
- Financial resources are things that a person has access to that are worth less than $2,000. There may be bank accounts, cash, stocks, bonds, etc. that can be used as assets. If the applicant is married, the applicant's spouse can keep up to $101,640, which is half of the applicant's assets. Real assets like a house or car are not counted toward the resource limit and are not included in the list of assets.
- Testing: Each person who wants to join must take a PAS test. A PAS test is a pre-admission screening test. Before being accepted into the programme, every candidate must go through this screening. In a nutshell, the test will show if a person can live on their own without the help of a caretaker or a nurse.
To get care from ALTCS, you don't have to be in a nursing home. ALTCS services can be given at home or in a facility for people who need help living on their own.
