Arizona Long Term Care InformationOne problem with long term health care is the costs necessary to make it effective. While there is the social responsibility to extend as much help as possible, the system is constrained by the costs necessary to make the system efficient. There are costs of course in terms of professional staffing, facilities, management and medical care and equipment. That is why the State of Arizona has restructured its Medicaid program to address such concerns. Arizona long term care along with other health services have been redesigned according to modern and innovative care management techniques. Innovations to Arizona long term care have been achieved through years of careful evaluation and study. The overall program has achieved such renown and impact, that it has been made a model of what a Medicaid program should be like. The Arizona long term care system also tackles the more important aspect of costs by a distinct financial scheme. It negotiates a contract with health plan providers and other program contractors and pays them a monthly amount of capitation for every qualified AHCCCS member. This contract prompts the contractor to perform whatever service is necessary within that amount. The AHCCCS draws its resources from federal, state and county sources including shares from the State of Arizona's tobacco tax. For Arizona senior citizens over 65 years old, there is the Arizona long term care system or the ALTCS. Also qualified to avail of this program are disabled individuals or visually impaired persons, all of whom may need the care of a nursing facility. What is innovative of the Arizona long term care system is that participants can reside in their own homes or an assisted living facility and still received in-home services. The program's comprehensive coverage includes medical care, hospitalization, physician consultations, and lab work for tests, medical prescriptions and even psychological counseling. To qualify for the Arizona long term care system, potential participants must meet several financial requirements. The Arizona long term care system sets the income limit at less than $2,000 monthly. However if one has an AHCCCS approved income-only trust, your income can exceed this amount and you can still qualify. To qualify for the Arizona long term care system your total resources which includes available cash, bank deposits, bonds, stocks, etc., must need exceed $2,000 for a single person. Be reminded that these resources do no include real estate or property, cars and burial plans. If you are applying for the program and still have a living spouse, make sure that when you include total marital assets, your half of the total should not exceed $100,000. The AHCCCS offers as well, different low or not cost medical coverage programs to suit any need or budget. To qualify, the minimum requirements should be that one is an American citizen or a qualified immigrant. Be reminded however that different agency determines eligibility according to category. As such, senior citizens as well as the disabled and visually impaired are admitted through the Social Security Administration which gives them Supplementary Security Income as well. |