Arizona Medicaid for Senior Care
Complete guide to Medicaid eligibility, coverage, and application process for nursing homes, assisted living, and home care in Arizona.
7.6 million Medicaid long-term care recipients nationwide
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
Processing Time
30-45 days for ALTCS applications
Arizona Medicaid Eligibility Requirements (2026)
To qualify for Medicaid long-term care in Arizona, applicants must meet both financial eligibility criteria (income and assets) and medical criteria (level of care needs). Arizona follows federal Medicaid guidelines with some state-specific variations.
Income Limits
Individual Applicant
$2,982/month (ALTCS)
Married Couple (One Applying)
$2,982/month per applicant
Income includes Social Security, pensions, annuities, interest, dividends, and rental income.
Asset Limits
Individual Applicant
$2,000
Community Spouse (At-Home Spouse)
$162,660 (community spouse)
Primary residence, one vehicle, personal belongings, and prepaid burial arrangements are exempt from asset limits.
5-Year Look-Back Period
Arizona Medicaid reviews all financial transactions for the 60 months prior to application. Asset transfers or gifts during this period can result in a penalty period of Medicaid ineligibility. The penalty is calculated by dividing the transferred amount by $7,604/month average (semi-private), $9,429/month (private) (the average monthly nursing home cost in Arizona).
Medical Eligibility
Applicants must demonstrate need for nursing facility level of care through a state assessment. This typically requires assistance with 2-3 Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, eating) or cognitive impairment requiring supervision.
Assessments are performed by state-designated evaluators (nurses or social workers) and typically take 45-90 minutes. The assessment can occur at home, in a hospital, or at the care facility.
What Medicaid Covers in Arizona
Nursing Home Care
Medicaid pays 100% of nursing home costs in Arizona once eligibility is established. The average monthly cost is $7,604/month average (semi-private), $9,429/month (private). Recipients contribute most of their monthly income toward care costs, keeping only $50-75 for personal needs.
Coverage includes room, board, 24-hour nursing care, meals, medications, therapy services, and all medical care provided at the facility.
Assisted Living Coverage
ALTCS Assisted Living Services: ALTCS participants can reside in licensed assisted living facilities and receive medical and care-related services. ALTCS covers personal care services and case management but does not pay room and board costs. No waiting lists due to managed care model.
Note: This program covers personal care services but does not cover room and board costs. Residents need approximately $1,500-$2,500/month from Social Security or other income to cover housing expenses.
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers
Arizona offers 2 HCBS waiver programs that provide in-home care and community services as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) - Elderly/Physically Disabled
Arizona operates ALTCS on a managed care model without enrollment caps, meaning no waiting lists. Provides comprehensive long-term care services for elderly and physically disabled individuals who require nursing facility level of care.
Program Details →Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
Provides in-home care services, personal care, case management, respite care, and other supports to prevent or delay nursing home placement. Available through ALTCS.
Program Details →How to Apply for Medicaid in Arizona
Arizona Medicaid applications typically take 30-45 days for ALTCS applications. Starting the process early and submitting complete documentation helps avoid delays.
Application Methods
You can apply for Medicaid in Arizona through:
- Online through Health-e-Arizona Plus
- Call 1-855-432-7587
- Through ALTCS managed care organization
- Mail application to local office
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Before starting your application, collect:
- •Birth certificate and Social Security card
- •Proof of citizenship (passport, naturalization)
- •5 years of bank statements
- •Investment and retirement account statements
- •Property deeds and mortgage statements
- •Life insurance policies
- •Social Security award letter
- •Pension benefit statements
- •Medicare card
- •Doctor's statement of care needs
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Complete and submit your application through one of the methods listed above. If applying online or by mail, keep copies of all submitted documents.
Step 3: Medical Assessment
A state assessor will evaluate level of care needs. This assessment typically takes 45-90 minutes and covers functional abilities, medical needs, cognitive status, and safety concerns.
Step 4: Financial Review
Medicaid staff review all financial documents and investigate any transfers or gifts made in the past 60 months. They may request additional documentation during this process.
Step 5: Receive Determination
You'll receive written notification of approval or denial. Approved applications include the effective date of coverage (often retroactive up to 3 months), patient responsibility amount, and covered services.
Get Free Application Help
Free Medicaid application assistance is available in Arizona from:
- •Area Agency on Aging: Call 1-800-677-1116 (Eldercare Locator) to find your local office
- •SHIP counselors: Free Medicare/Medicaid counseling
- •Nursing facility social workers: In-facility application support
- •Elder law attorneys: Paid help for complex financial situations ($2,000-$5,000)
Arizona-Specific Programs and Resources
Qualified Income Trust (QIT)
Also called a Miller Trust, this allows individuals with income over $2,982/month to redirect excess income and still qualify for ALTCS.
Learn MoreNeed Help with Arizona Medicaid?
Contact Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) for specific questions about eligibility, application status, or covered services.