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Arizona Medicaid’s Self Directed Attendant Care (SDAC) Program
Overview of Arizona’s Self Directed Attendant Care (SDAC)
This program is based on the Cash and Counseling model in which the participant is responsible for the hiring and direction of their personal care provider, more formally referred to as their Attendant Care Worker or ACW. The SDAC program is intended to allow elderly and disabled Arizona residents to remain living at home instead of residing in nursing facilities or assisted living communities.
Program participants work with a Case Manager to develop a plan of care which outlines the service and supply needs of the individual, the providers and the total costs associated with their attendant care. Funds are allocated from the state to a financial intermediary referred to as the Fiscal Employer Agent. This agent is then responsible for making payments to providers and for supplies approved by the program participant.
One component of the program that makes it attractive to the participants is that family members and friends can be hired as the Attendant Care Worker. In other words, family members can get paid to be caregivers. Spouses and legal guardians cannot be hired directly; however they can be retained indirectly by working for a home care agency. One detail of note is that personal care provider / attendant care worker must be trained in first aid and CPR.
Naming Confusion
There is some confusion associated with this program due to the variety of names by which it is referred. This is a Medicaid program and in Arizona, Medicaid is referred to as the Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Within that organization, there is Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) for elderly and disabled residents. The SDAC Program is one option within the ALTCS.
Furthering the confusion is the fact that this type of program in which the participant directs their own care is also referred to by many names including; Consumer Direction, Participant Direction and Cash and Counseling.
One component of the program that makes it attractive to the participants is that family members and friends can be hired as the Attendant Care Worker. In other words, family members can get paid to be caregivers. Spouses and legal guardians cannot be hired directly; however they can be retained indirectly by working for a home care agency. One detail of note is that personal care provider / attendant care worker must be trained in first aid and CPR.
Naming Confusion
There is some confusion associated with this program due to the variety of names by which it is referred. This is a Medicaid program and in Arizona, Medicaid is referred to as the Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Within that organization, there is Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) for elderly and disabled residents. The SDAC Program is one option within the ALTCS.
Furthering the confusion is the fact that this type of program in which the participant directs their own care is also referred to by many names including; Consumer Direction, Participant Direction and Cash and Counseling.
Qualifications for Self Directed Attendant Care
This program is for elderly and disabled residents that are qualified for Medicaid. Therefore, individuals must require a nursing home level of care and be willing and able to receive that care in their home.
Qualifying for Medicaid is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change frequently and there are many exceptions, but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Not qualifying for Medicaid can be devastating to the comfort of an individual, their family’s finances and even their health. For these reasons, Medicaid planners exist to ensure families have the best chance of acceptance into the program. With care costing $1000’s / month, there is a strong incentive to use a Medicaid Planner. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Qualifying for Medicaid is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change frequently and there are many exceptions, but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Not qualifying for Medicaid can be devastating to the comfort of an individual, their family’s finances and even their health. For these reasons, Medicaid planners exist to ensure families have the best chance of acceptance into the program. With care costing $1000’s / month, there is a strong incentive to use a Medicaid Planner. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Benefits of Self Directed Attendant Care
This program pays for personal care services or services that help an individual perform their activities of daily living. This includes such things as assistance with bathing, grooming and personal hygiene as well as basic housework, meal preparation and shopping. The Attendant Care Worker can perform basis skilled nursing tasks such as glucose and insulin monitoring provided they have received training from a nursing professional.
How to Apply for Self Directed Attendant Care
To enroll in the SDAC Program, an individual must first be approved for Arizona’s Long Term Care System. One applies at any of the ALTCS office locations. More information about this program is available on this webpage.
Use our Eldercare Financial Resource Locator Tool to find other public and private programs that can help pay for or reduce the costs of long term care for the elderly.
