Tucson Senior AdvisorLast verified: October 2026
Can an ALTCS member choose between home and assisted living?
Yes. AHCCCS says ALTCS members do not have to live in a nursing home and may live at home or in an assisted living facility while receiving services, subject to their assessed needs and their health plan's network.
The member's case manager works out a service plan for the chosen setting.
Sources: AHCCCS ALTCS.
What does ALTCS pay for at home?
At home, ALTCS can pay for direct care services such as attendant care, personal care and homemaker services, with hours set through AHCCCS's standardized needs assessment, plus other covered services such as adult day health.
The member keeps paying their own housing and food costs at home.
What does ALTCS pay for in assisted living?
In assisted living ALTCS pays for the care services, and the member pays room and board in an amount set by the ALTCS health plan.
Which is better for a Tucson family?
Home usually works better when a spouse or adult child lives with the member and can cover nights; assisted living usually works better for someone living alone who needs help at unpredictable times.
Families with a parent in a ten-bed home often find ALTCS plus Social Security covers most of the bill, if the home contracts with the parent's plan.
What should you ask the ALTCS health plan?
Ask which assisted living facilities in your area contract with the plan, the room-and-board amount, how many attendant care hours the assessment allows at home, and how to request an extraordinary care review if hours fall short.
ALTCS program line: (888) 621-6880.
What happens if ALTCS assessed hours at home are not enough?
AHCCCS has an extraordinary care review process for members who document that they need more direct care hours than the standardized assessment allowed; the health plan handles the request.
Keep a care log for two weeks before asking, noting each time help was needed and how long it took.
Can an ALTCS member move from home to assisted living later?
Yes. A member can change settings as needs change; the case manager updates the service plan, and the member starts paying room and board to the facility the plan contracts with.
Ask the case manager for the plan's list of contracted facilities near your family before needs become urgent.
ALTCS at home vs. in assisted living
| At home | In assisted living | |
|---|---|---|
| Care services | attendant, personal, homemaker care | facility care services |
| Housing costs | member's own home | room and board paid by member |
| Night coverage | family or paid hours | facility staff |
