Blog Post: Family Caregivers...A Different Slant

As a Registered participant in the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), we have many clients that are qualified for care through AHCCCS’s ALTCS plan.  ALTCS stands for Arizona Long Term Care System.  Whew…enough acronyms for now, I promise…just these two this time!

In most cases, our ALTCS clients have qualified medically and financially as well as needs-based.  Once approved, ALTCS authorizes one of their partner Health Plan Insurers to find a Care Provider (us) and we provide care.  Payment for care is generally authorized by the number of hours per day, week or month.  The client receiving care never sees a bill or has to make a payment.  All the “red tape” happens between us and the Insurer and between the Insurer and the State. 

Lately, we’ve been seeing more and more clients and caregivers utilizing ALTCS’s Attendant Care program, sometimes known as the Family Caregiving Program.  This program permits a spouse or other family member to care for their qualified loved one and become hired, trained and scheduled by a Home Care Agency such as Right at Home®.

Once the client has qualified medically and financially for ALTCS and is receiving benefits, the loved one providing the care needs to be trained and hired by a qualified home care or attendant care agency such as Right at Home®.

The Family Caregiver also must meet some requirements such as CPR certification, a clear Tuberculosis test, etc.  Once a Family Caregiver is in place, the family caregiver is paid an hourly rate by Right at Home® and we bill the Insurer.  The Family Caregiver has all the responsibilities and rights as any other Caregiver.  They become qualified employees, have a stringent background check completed and attend orientation and training.  They will stay also current and informed via courses at Right at Home University and the Right at Home Caregiver Education, Recognition and Training Program sm. More information can be found at the ALTCS site, http://www.ahcccs.state.az.us  

Check out their site or give us a call at 602-569-7240 if you have questions about this program or any other situation where Home Care is an option.  Whether you end up having Right at Home® assist you with your care needs or not, you definitely will receive some great free information.  You can also click over to our web site at

www.rah-phx.com or drop us an email at info@rah-phx.com any time.

At Right at Home® In-Home Care in North Phoenix , we have recently been blessed with the opportunity to help people in a way we never imagined.