Assisted Living in Arizona

Arizona is a popular retirement spot, in part due to its warm, dry weather and beautiful desert landscapes. The state is home to 7.2 million people, and 18% are aged 65 and older. Social Security income isn’t subject to state income tax, which can help seniors budget, and groceries and medicines are exempt from sales tax. Retirees in Arizona also have access to world-class medical care at facilities such as the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix.

The state ranks 42nd overall in the 2022 Senior Living Report, in part due to the relatively low number of health care professionals and opportunities for community involvement. However, it’s among the top 10 states for senior living and housing. Assisted living costs of just $4,000 per month impact this ranking. Arizona also ranks highly in quality of life for seniors who choose to make the state their home.

This guide has details about the cost of assisted living in Arizona and its cities, as well as the prices of other senior living options. You can also find information about resources available to seniors in Arizona and the rules and regulations for assisted living facilities in the state.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Arizona

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows that assisted living in Arizona costs an average of $4,000 per month. This is $500 less than the national median. Prices are also relatively low when compared to many of Arizona’s neighbors. At $5,250, the average price in California is $1,250 more than in Arizona. Colorado and New Mexico are also more expensive, with prices of $4,750 and $4,498, respectively. Nevada and Utah are both more affordable options, with seniors in Nevada paying $3,750 and costs in Utah averaging $3,500 per month.

Costs can differ widely depending on where in Arizona you reside. Flagstaff is the least affordable city, with costs of $5,000 per month. Lake Havasu City and Prescott Valley prices are also significantly higher than the state average at $4,700 and $4,500, respectively. At $4,150, prices in Sierra Vista are slightly higher than Arizona’s average, as are Tucson’s at $4,050. Seniors in the state’s largest city, Phoenix, pay $3,975 per month, while Yuma has the lowest rates at $3,800. 

Assisted living isn’t the only senior care option available to older adults in Arizona, and another type may be more suitable to your budget and circumstances. Adult day health care is the most affordable choice at $2,102. The average cost of in-home care is higher than the $4,000 rate for assisted living, with seniors paying $5,339 for home care and $5,434 for home health care. In nursing homes, monthly rates average $6,540 for semiprivate rooms and $8,030 for private accommodations.

Does Medicaid Cover Assisted Living in Arizona?

Assisted living care is covered directly by Arizona Medicaid for eligible residents in the state. The Medicaid program, known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS, doesn’t include waivers. Instead, all care is offered through a managed care system. As part of the AHCCCS, Arizona Long Term Care Services (ALTCS) covers medical and personal care for eligible residents in their homes and in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 

What Assisted Living Services Are Covered by Medicaid in Arizona? 

ALTCS provides services to people who need a nursing home level of care. As this is a Medicaid program, there aren’t any waiting lists; everyone who’s eligible can receive benefits. The managed care system also means that seniors work entirely with a single organization, making the logistics of arranging care and benefits easier. 

To qualify for ALTCS support, you must be financially eligible. The financial limits for this program are higher than those for regular Medicaid. You must also be aged 65 or older, or have a recognized disability, and at risk of institutionalization. 

The exact benefits you can receive depend on your needs and where you reside. For example, there are different levels of support provided for people in assisted living facilities as compared to those living in their own home. In addition to the medical care provided by Medicaid, the program offers assistive services. These can include:

• Care coordination
• Behavioral health care
• Durable medical equipment
• Personal care services
• Personal emergency response systems
• Medical transportation

The program doesn’t cover the cost of room and board in assisted living facilities.

When you apply, the department looks at your finances first. If you’re financially eligible for the program, a social worker conducts an in-person assessment to decide if you meet the functional eligibility criteria. The assessment also determines the level of care you require. To apply, you can contact the nearest ALTCS office or call (888) 621-6880.

How To Know If You’re Eligible for Medicaid in Arizona

As the Medicaid program is designed to provide health insurance to low-income residents, finances are the main factor determining eligibility. Applicants must meet both income and asset limits. 

The income limit for ALTCS coverage is $2,523 per month, or $30,276 per year per person, and the asset limit is $2,000. When both spouses of a married couple are applying, that limit is per person, meaning the couple can have up to $4,000 of assets. 

When only one spouse applies for long-term care assistance, the income limit only applies to the applicant. However, the applicant may transfer a certain amount of their income to the non-applicant according to Medicaid’s spousal impoverishment provisions. The non-applicant spouse may also retain up to $137,400 in assets. 

Arizona doesn’t count all assets when calculating Medicaid eligibility. Personal belongings, an automobile and burial trusts are generally exempt. A primary home is also exempt if the person intends to return to it or their spouse still lives there. 

*Per year

In addition to the financial criteria, applicants must:

• Be an Arizona resident
• Be a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant
• Have a Social Security number
• Be aged 65 or older, or have a recognized disability
• Be in need of a nursing home level of care
• Apply for all cash benefits they may be entitled to
• Live in an approved living arrangement, such as an assisted living facility

How To Apply for Medicaid in Arizona

To start an application for ALTCS, you may visit your local office or call (888) 621-6880. Alternatively, you can fill in a request for application form and take it to the nearest ALTCS office or return it by mail, fax or email to:

801 East Jefferson Street, MD 3900, Phoenix, Arizona, 85034
Fax (toll-free): 888-507-3313 
Email: altcsregistration@azahcccs.gov 

Information You Will Need 

ALTCS staff members need to see various documents to process applications. You may be asked to provide:

• Proof of citizenship and identity
• Immigration documents
• Social Security number
• Birth certificate
• Proof of income
• Proof of assets
• Verification of any other medical insurance, such as a Medicare card

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid 

Arizona has resources available to help people who wish to apply for Medicaid. The Health-e-Arizona Plus website answers frequently asked questions about the application process. ALTCS workers are also able to answer questions, and the agency offers a detailed guide for those applying for long-term care.

Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living in Arizona?

The short answer is that no, Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living in Arizona. Assisted living facilities are considered to be a “residential setting” and not a “clinical setting,” (think nursing homes). While Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of care received in an assisted living community, it does still cover things like approved medications, doctor visits, medical equipment, etc., just like it would if you lived at home.

For more information about when Medicare can be used to pay for senior living in a nursing home, and for Medicare-related resources, see our guide to Nursing Homes in Arizona.

Other Financial Assistance Options for Assisted Living in Arizona

Seniors who are not eligible (due to location, financial situation, or other factors) for other types of financial assistance, do still have some options. See the table below for an overview of some of the most common ways to make Assisted Living affordable.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Arizona

Seniors in Arizona have access to a variety of resources designed to support their health, independence and well-being. Many services are coordinated through local and state government agencies, and can provide financial assistance, advice and advocacy.

COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Arizona

The following information is based on research done on several government websites, including azdhs.gov. These rules apply to nursing homes and other types of senior living facilities. We’ve most recently updated this data on 4/22/22, but since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving pandemic, contact your local senior living facility or Area Agency on Aging for more specific and up-to-date information.

Visitation Policies

*Note: This information was not available for this state, contact your local area agency on aging or senior living facility for more information.

Outings & Social Activities

COVID-19 Safety Measures for Staff and Residents

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Arizona

Assisted living facilities in Arizona are licensed and regulated by the Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing. Facilities must comply with the rules and regulations set forth to protect the health, safety and well-being of assisted living residents in the state. 

Frequently Asked Questions