Arizona Medicaid Waiver

What Programs Are Available To Assist People With Disabilities in Arizona?

Is there a Medicaid waiver program in Arizona? Arizona does not operate a 1915(c) waiver; it operates a unique statewide 1115 Demonstration Project waiver. The Arizona Long Term Care System (Long Term Care) is a federally funded Medicaid program of supports and services for persons with disabilities.

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What state department handles the Medicaid waiver program? The Arizona Department of Economic Security/ Division of Developmental Disabilities provides needed supports for persons with disabilities.

What programs assist people who have developmental disabilities in Arizona? In 1982 Arizona began it's Medicaid program, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), as a section 1115 Demonstration Waiver.

What is the best number to call to get started? The main numbers for Arizona's waiver are (602) 542-0419 and (866) 229-5553 (toll free). A more direct line for young children is (602) 771-0400. A more direct line for older kids and adults is (602) 246-0546.

Is there a website?
https://www.azdes.gov/ddd

Who Qualifies For Assistance?

What is considered a developmental disability in Arizona? An Arizona resident who has a chronic disability which is attributable to cognitive disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or autism that was manifested before the age of 18 may be eligible. The disability must also result in substantial functional limitations in three or more major life activities.

Are there income limits to receive services? No, there are not income limits to receive services in Arizona.

How old do you have to be to start receiving services? Children under the age of six years old may be eligible if there is a strong possibility that he/she will have a developmental disability. You must be at least three years old to receive services.

Is There a Waiting List For Services?

How long is the waiting list in Arizona? There is not a waiting list in Arizona. Also, you do not have to be a resident in Arizona for a set time in order to get services. You only have to prove residency.

How many people are on the waiting list in Arizona? Arizona does not have a waiting list.

How many people are currently receiving services in Arizona? DES provides supports and services to 34,968 people with developmental disabilities and their families throughout Arizona.

What assistance is available while you wait? N/A

Is there priority preference for people who are in crisis? N/A

What Services Are Offered & What Are The Service Limitations?

What services does the Arizona Medicaid waiver program offer? Services are authorized and monitored by a support coordinator (case manager). Services include: Attendant care; day treatment and training; employment support services; habilitation; home health aide; home nursing; respiratory therapy; respite; therapies (occupational, physical, speech); and transportation.

What services are available to people living in the family home in Arizona? Services to children and adults with developmental disabilities are delivered in the family or person’s own home. Services are provided based on each person’s identified needs, state and/or federal guidelines and, when applicable, the availability of funds.

Does Arizona offer community group homes? Out of home placements also are available for children and adults for whom living with family or independently is not an option. Acute care health plans are provided to consumers that also qualify for Arizona Long Term Care. There are a variety of group homes in Arizona.

Does Arizona offer supported living? Arizona does offer support and services for people with disabilities to live in their own home.

Are there still state owned institutions in Arizona? How many people are living in institutions? Arizona continues to operate one hospital where it houses developmentally disabled residents, but the state is making progress by moving people from state institutions into the community. People living in these institutions have severe disabilities. Arizona's one state facility houses 115 developmentally disabled residents.

How Do You Select A Provider?

Do providers work for the state in Arizona? While some services are delivered directly by the State, most services are delivered through a large network of individual and agency contracted providers.

About how many providers are there in the state? The program provides an avenue for consumers to hire their choice of independent providers for home and community based services and supports. There are over 3,000 independent providers.

Do you have a choice in providers? DES strives to support the choices of individuals with disabilities and their families by promoting and providing within communities, flexible, quality, consumer-driven services and supports.

How Do You Become A Provider?

How do you become a provider in Arizona? There is not a fee to become a provider in Arizona. Applicants new to being a DDD provider need to start an account in Arizona's "Qualified Vendor Application & Directory System(QVADS)", an online system. Applicants shall not expect to be awarded an agreement sooner than 60 days after the submittal of a completed application.

Additional Information

An annual list produced by United Cerebral Palsy rated Arizona’s Medicaid program as number one in the country in 2012. The report says that Arizona provides the best services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

DES continues to be a leader in the country for providing services to consumers and families in their home and communities. Eighty eight percent of its individuals enrolled in the DES Developmental Disabilities program live in their own homes and communities rather than in congregate settings.

However, Arizona has only six percent of its developmentally disabled population working in competitive employment.