Home Care in Arizona

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows that the average monthly cost of home care in Arizona is $5,339. This provides non-medical support in a person’s home, such as personal care, homemaker services and home-delivered meals. Seniors who require medical assistance, such as skilled nursing, can explore home health care. This type of care averages $5,434 per month.

Seniors in Arizona pay more for home care and home health care than the U.S. averages, which sit at $4,957 and $5,148, respectively. Neighboring New Mexico is the only nearby state with prices below the national average, with home care costs of $4,605 and home health care costs of $4,652. At $5,148 for both types of care, Nevada is also more affordable than Arizona. Other nearby states have higher prices. Utah’s home care costs average $5,625, and home health care prices sit at $5,720. California’s seniors pay $6,101 for both types of care.

Other senior care options may be a better fit for your budget and needs. Adult day health care is an affordable choice at $2,102 per month. Assisted living in Arizona is also cheaper than home care at $4,000. Nursing home care is the most expensive option at $6,540, largely due to the extra care provided in this setting.

Medicaid in Arizona is known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). It operates a number of programs including the Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS), which provides services to older and disabled Arizonans. By using this system rather than Medicaid waivers, there are no waiting lists and everyone who is eligible for care is able to receive services.

Everyone accepted in the ALTCS meets with a caseworker to develop a care plan that outlines their long-term care needs. Services available include personal care, home nursing, meal delivery and homemaker services. ALTCS can also help pay for durable medical equipment, personal emergency response systems and home modifications.

Care can be provided in a variety of settings, including an individual’s home. People receiving care in the home may be able to participate in one of the self-directed care options. These programs allow people to choose their own caregivers and allow seniors to hire family members, including spouses, as direct care providers.

Medicaid applicants must first meet financial eligibility criteria, which consists of income limits. Single applicants must have an income of less than $1,133 per month, and applicants in two-person households can have a combined income of up to $1,526 per month. Arizona doesn’t have asset limits for regular Medicaid, but people applying for certain programs such as long-term care may have to meet different eligibility criteria.

The easiest way to apply for Medicaid in Arizona is by using the online portal, Health-e-Arizona Plus. You can also print an application from the AHCCCS website or request a paper application by calling (855) 432-7587. Paper applications can be returned by mail or fax.

There is a separate application form for people applying for ALTCS that is also available on the website and can be returned by mail, fax or email. Seniors can also apply for ALTCS in person at a local office.

What Information You Will Need 

AHCCCS may ask for the following documents to complete your application:

• Proof of citizenship or immigration status
• Proof of identity
• Social Security numbers
• Birth certificate
• Proof of address
• Proof of income
• Verification of any other medical insurance

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

Arizona has resources available to help people assess their eligibility for Medicaid and complete the application process. Seniors who need assistance to navigate Medicaid can reach out to community groups and government services for guidance.

Medicare doesn’t pay for non-medical home care, but it can cover the cost of the medical version of home care, called “Home Healthcare” in some situations. In order to be eligible, you need to be homebound and have a referral from your doctor for the specific type of medical care that is needed. There are also other restrictions that apply.

Below is an overview of some of the services typically covered by Medicare for those who are eligible:

• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), and to treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis. Additionally, physical therapy is often provided in the home to help seniors recover from surgeries and procedures, such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Nursing Care: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services (such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.) for those who need medical care, but don’t need to stay in a hospital full-time.
• Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy is designed to help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, etc., and providers can travel to your home if needed.
• Speech Therapy: Seniors can lose the ability to adequately communicate for many reasons, and speech therapists are there to help seniors regain the ability to communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets and teaching special techniques to swallow safely.

As mentioned above, home care is distinctly different from home healthcare, but there is some overlap – so while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical home care, there are personal care services that may be covered in special circumstances – such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing.

Read our guide to Medicare and Home Care Coverage for more information.

While the above programs can be a great way to make home care affordable for many people, they are not the right solution for everyone. Thankfully, there are other ways to make home care more affordable for you and your family. For more information about your other options, read our section on Other Ways to Pay for this guide.

Arizona has a number of resources available to people who wish to age in place. Many are available through Area Agencies on Aging and can assist seniors with legal questions, home care, respite care and weatherization of the home.

Home care aides in Arizona are subject to the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate unless they’re eligible for an exemption. This mandate covers all Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers. These rules are current as of April 2022, but regulations surrounding COVID-19 are subject to change. If you are concerned about the health of people entering your home, you can call your local Area Agency on Aging for information about current rules. Your home care provider agency may also have additional rules relating to vaccinations and PPE usage. You can call an agency representative to discuss any concerns regarding their policies.

Arizona doesn’t require non-medical home care businesses to be licensed, so there are no regulations that govern these services. However, home health agencies are regulated and may also provide non-medical services. These agencies are licensed by the Department of Health Services and must comply with the following regulations.

Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, finding a quality home care provider can be a stressful process. To help you overcome this challenge, we’ve created a helpful checklist below that can help guide you through the process of both determining your needs, and finding a home care agency that will be the best fit for you and your family.

Download PDF Here

Learn More About Home Care in Arizona’s Top Cities

• Chandler
• Mesa
• Phoenix
• Prescott
• Scottsdale
• Tucson