Arizona
In America’s Health Rankings, Arizona scored high in reducing preventable hospital admissions among Medicare beneficiaries. The state also ranked 5th for the lowest number of cancer-related mortality, and got 7th place for the fewest reports of fatalities caused by cardiovascular disease. The incidence of binge drinking among Arizona adults decreased 2.7% in 2013.
Based on overall health factors, Arizona ranked 28th in America’s Health Rankings. The state may consider improvements on diet and lifestyle as approximately 1.2 million adults cope with obesity. Around 1.4 million adults lack physical activity. In addition, diabetes affects 500,000 adult residents.
Arizona might see 130,000 Alzheimer’s cases among senior citizens in 2025, according to calculations by Trust for America’s Health. Around 34,000 individuals developed cancer in 2013. In fact, the Arizona Department of Health Services reports that the rate of skin cancer among Arizona’s older adult women exceeded the average rate for the whole U.S by 3% in 2012. Moreover, 16% of male senior citizens experienced a heart attack.
Direct care workers provide personal assistance for aging or disability. More than 30,000 of them offer services in Arizona. The state has more than 140 nursing facilities with certification by two government health programs.
Cost of Care
Below are the average daily cost* of long-term care services in Arizona.
| City | Nursing Facility1 | Assisted Living1 | Adult Day Care2 | Home Health Aide3 |
| Phoenix | $242 | $97 | $91 | $138 |
| Tucson | $244 | $97 | N/A | $120 |
| Yuma | $214 | $92 | $113 | $126 |
Notes:
*Costs are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
1Daily average for a private room.
2Based on five days of care per week.
3Based on six hours of care per day, five days per week.
Insurance Options
TransCare II 2012, a long-term care insurance product by Transamerica, went on sale in Arizona and three other states on January 22, 2013. On the same date, TransCare II 2012 also underwent some changes in its rates and discounts. Consumers should not confuse TransCare® II 2012 with the older TransCare II product.
John Hancock implemented gender-based pricing to its LTCI policies sold in Arizona and four other states on August 19, 2013. This move had a particular impact on the insurance carrier’s Custom Care III featuring Benefit Builder products.
On October 28, 2013, modifications in FlexCare’s preferred health and marital discounts took effect. MedAmerica sells FlexCare, which can give long-term care insurance coverage to state residents.
State Long-Term Care Programs
Medicare can pay for the costs of skilled nursing facility care, home health care, therapy, prescribed drugs, and other care services. Arizona’s Senior Medicare Patrol has a program called Ferret Out Fraud, which involves education about insurance fraud and abuse for older adults. Retired professionals volunteer to instruct under this program.
In Arizona, the Medicaid program goes by the name of Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System or AHCCCS. This government program gives long-term care access to individuals who qualify with income and asset limits. The federally-facilitated Marketplace assesses eligibility for benefits. More low-income Arizona residents may apply for coverage due to the state’s Medicaid expansion in 2014.
The state’s Native Americans who reside in reservations get long-term care from the Arizona Long-Term Care System Tribal Case Management Program.
More Resources
To get more specific information regarding long-term care services and insurance options in Arizona, please check the following websites:
Department of Economic Security
Assists in choosing long-term care settings and services through resource links.
Offers informative guides about getting nursing facility care.
Compare Plan Options in Arizona
Get quotes for insurance coverage and options available in your area. Simply fill the form below with your information:
By clicking submit, you agree to be contacted by a representative who will process your quote request and answer your questions.
