Nursing Homes in Arizona

Arizona is the nation’s second-most popular retirement destination, after Florida. The state offers seniors year-round warm weather and nearly 40% more sunny days than the U.S. average. For the 18% of residents who are over 65, excellent health care is another advantage of living in Arizona: Mayo Clinic Phoenix ranks among the 20 best hospitals in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report. While the state’s overall cost of living is close to the national average, health care costs are about 5% lower — a major perk for frail seniors and their families.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization that tracks health care data, there were 10,325 people living in Arizona’s certified nursing homes in 2019. For residents who stay in semi-private rooms, the average monthly cost of nursing home care is $6,844, per Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey. Private rooms are pricier at $8,213.

This guide offers caregivers an introduction to nursing home care in Arizona, including typical care costs in Arizona’s major cities and where to get help paying for care. Plus, it explains some of the key regulations nursing homes must follow.

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Arizona

According to Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, Arizona’s average nursing home cost is not only lower than the national average but also lower than in most neighboring states. At $6,844 per month, the state’s average cost is nearly 12% lower than the U.S. average of $7,756. Costs in nearby states are much higher than in Arizona. In California and Nevada, prices are about 35% higher at $9,247 and $9,262, respectively. New Mexico is also more expensive than Arizona at $7,406 monthly. Within the immediate area, only Utah, where nursing home care runs $6,388 per month, is more affordable.

Overall, Arizona is an affordable state for nursing home care, but prices vary from one city to another. In the Prescott Valley area, the average cost is the same as the state average of $6,844. Phoenix has the highest average cost in the state at $9,247 per month but further south, prices are much lower. Nursing homes charge a monthly average of $7,118 in Yuma, $6,565 in Tucson and $6,920 in the Sierra Vista area. Near the Nevada border in Lake Havasu City, the average monthly cost of nursing home care is $7,437. For seniors on a budget, Tucson may be an ideal destination. Its average cost, at $6,565 per month, is nearly 18% lower than the Arizona average.

Other senior care options in Arizona include in-home care, home health care, adult day care and assisted living care. In-home care, which includes help with housekeeping and other daily tasks, costs an average of $4,934, while seniors who require in-home assistance with basic medical care pay $4,957 for home health care. Seniors may choose to receive care outside of the home at an adult day care facility, which costs an average of $1,842 per month. Seniors who move to assisted living facilities pay an average of $3,900 per month.

Does Medicaid Cover Nursing Home Care in Arizona?

Arizona has more than 2 million residents enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program, which is a more than 72% increase since coverage was expanded in October 2013. In nursing homes, the majority of residents—three out of five—receive Medicaid benefits to help with the costs. This state and federally funded program covers most services provided in nursing homes, including room and board, nursing services, medical equipment and other continuing and critical care services. 

There are more than 16,000 nursing home beds in Arizona spread among more than 145 facilities. Each nursing home offers a level of care similar to what seniors might expect to receive in a hospital. Arizona Long Term Care System is the Medicaid program that pays for nursing home stays for eligible seniors. In addition, it also offers assistance with care provided at home or in an assisted living community, although room and board isn’t covered in these settings.

Medicaid Eligibility in Arizona

To qualify for Medicaid in Arizona, applicants must meet certain financial guidelines. To qualify for ALTCS coverage, applicants must also demonstrate a functional need for an institutional level of care or be disabled. Arizona Medicaid offers long-term care as an entitlement program, which means individuals who qualify are eligible for benefits and there is no participation cap or waiting list to receive services. After an assessment and care planning meeting, seniors who qualify are immediately approved to begin receiving care in either a nursing home or community setting. 

To meet the program’s financial eligibility requirements, a senior may earn no more than $2,523 per month, or $30,276 per year. Applicants are considered as individuals for nursing home Medicaid, so income limits are doubled when both members of a couple apply. Married seniors can also provide an income allowance for a non-applicant spouse who continues to live in the community. The applicant can have up to $2,000 in countable assets, and a non-applicant spouse is eligible to retain up to $137,400 in assets. 

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Arizona

*Per year

Seniors applying for Medicaid in Arizona must also be a resident in the state and U.S. citizen or legal resident. 

How to Apply for Medicaid in Arizona

There are several ways to apply for Arizona Medicaid for long-term care. The application is available online for download. Alternatively, you can call (888) 621-6880 to have a paper application mailed out. To get help with the Medicaid application process, you can call the same number. Once completed, the application can be mailed to 801 East Jefferson Street, MD 3900, Phoenix, Arizona, 85034. In-person assistance is available at your nearest ALTCS office. 

Information You Will Need:

• Proof of citizenship or legal residency
• Social Security number 
• Copy of birth certificate
• Name, address and contact phone number for a landlord or neighbor
• A signed statement including contact information from a non-relative verifying the members of the applicant’s household and address
• Proof of all incoming funds received in the current and prior month
• Proof of lack of employment
• Verification of medical insurance other than Medicaid, including Medicare

Additional Medicaid Support & Resources in Arizona

The following list includes contact details and contact information for free resources available to Arizona seniors when applying for Medicaid. 

Does Medicare Cover Nursing Home Care in Arizona?

Medicare provides limited coverage for short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay, but seniors must meet a number of specific requirements. This benefit is available to beneficiaries who have been hospitalized for at least three days, excluding the date of discharge, so it’s most valuable for those who are recovering from an injury, illness or surgery.

Once seniors meet the hospitalization requirement, Medicare will pay for up to 100 days of skilled nursing per benefit period. The first 20 days are covered in full. Starting on day 21, beneficiaries must pay a daily coinsurance rate. After day 100, seniors are responsible for the entire cost.

What Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare covers a number of specific services, including:

• Meals
• A semiprivate room
• Medications
• Skilled nursing
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Audiologist care
• Medical supplies
• Medical social services
• Nutritional counseling
• Ambulance transportation

What Isn’t Covered by Medicare?

Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care that addresses seniors’ day-to-day needs. This includes help with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and using medical equipment.

For more information about Medicare and when it covers Nursing Home Care, read our Guide to Nursing Homes.

Medicare Support & Resources in Arizona

Families considering nursing home care for their loved ones may wonder if Medicare can meet some of their costs. Although health insurance can’t help in the long term, it may provide initial assistance. Trained advisors associated with the organizations listed below may provide information and answers to questions about coverage.

Other Financial Assistance Options for Nursing Home Care in Arizona

While Medicaid and Medicare are two of the most common programs used to pay for Nursing Home Care, there are other financial assistance options available, depending on your unique situation.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Arizona

When considering nursing home or alternative care options, you can quickly become overwhelmed by the amount of information out there. The following free and subsidized programs may help you locate and access the services your loved one needs and help with the transition to long-term care. 

COVID-19 Rules for Nursing Homes in Arizona

The following information is based on research done on several government websites, including azdhs.gov/covid19. These rules apply to nursing homes and other types of senior living facilities. We’ve most recently updated this data on 2/2/2022, 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

Nursing Home Laws and Regulations in Arizona