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Frequently Asked Questions about Arizona's Medicaid (AKA: ALTCS)
Does ALTCS take your house, car, and belongings once you qualify for help?
No. Although all states are mandated to perform estate recovery, this does not happen until after the death of the ALTCS member. There are also exemptions and waivers from estate recovery for certain individuals. A consultation with ALTCS Planning.net provides information so that you can make an informed decision before you pursue Medicaid / ALTCS benefits.
If I have given away money or assets, will I qualify for ALTCS?
That depends on your situation. There are two sets of rules that ALTCS uses to determine if the money you've given away will affect your potential eligibility for the program. There are too many variables to a given situation to provide an example here. If you have given away money or assets, we recommend that you seek information to determine if your gifts will cause you to not qualify for ALTCS for a period of time (this is called a period of ineligibility). Not all gifts given result in a period of ineligibility.
Is it true that ALTCS only pays for nursing home care?
No, that is not true. ALTCS pays for and will provide services in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living homes, assisted living centers, adult foster care homes, and in your own home. There are several other settings that are appropriate for services, too, but these are the most common ones.
I'm over the income limit for ALTCS. Are there any options for me?
Yes! A person who is over the income limit for Medicaid / ALTCS can use a Special Needs Trust (also known as an Income-Only Trust or a Miller Trust) to qualify for services. The income that is placed into the trust is excluded from the eligibility test. See our Miller
Trust/Income-Only Trust page for more information about this trust.
Is the ALTCS program only for the elderly?
No, the program is for the elderly, physically disabled, and developmentally disabled. People of all ages from all walks of life may find themselves needing long term care. Unfortunately, no one is immune from that possibility.
What are the general requirements for ALTCS?
To qualify for the ALTCS program a person must meet financial, non-financial, and medical qualifications. The breakdown of each of those areas is listed on our ALTCS page.
Do you have to give up your doctor once you qualify for ALTCS?
No, you are not required to give up your doctor. However, if you choose to continue to see your doctor and he/she is not an ALTCS provider, you will be responsible for the unpaid portions of the medical bills related to that doctor. Medicare will work like it always has (if you have Medicare, that is). Medicare typically pays 80% of the Medicare assignment amount and you are responsible for the other 20%. If you have a supplemental policy and/or a retiree medical benefit, then those insurance benefits will continue to operate the same way. The doctor will continue to bill your Medicare and supplemental insurance providers as usual.
ALTCS Planning.net is not affiliated with AHCCCS / ALTCS / VA.
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**IMPORTANT NOTICE**
Our CLDP, Carol Aragon-Montgomery, prepares legal documents.OUR CLDP IS NOT AN ATTORNEY AT LAW AND IS NOT EMPLOYED BY ATTORNEYS AT LAW AND CANNOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE.Your communications with our CLDP are kept CONFIDENTIAL by our CLDP, but since our CLDP is not an attorney at law, such communications are NOT PRIVILEGED (i.e., immune from Subpoena). Our CLDP can give you general factual information pertaining to legal rights, procedures, or options available to you in a legal matter when you are not represented by an attorney.Our CLDP cannot give you specific legal advice, opinions, or recommendations about your legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, or strategies. Please note that the Long Term Care Planning Services are of a financial planning nature and are not specific "legal" advice. Prices subject to change without notice.