What is the
CA Assisted Living Waiver?
The California Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a Medi-Cal program that helps low-income, eligible seniors and persons with disabilities move into or remain in assisted living facilities instead of a nursing home. It covers the cost of care services in a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) or subsidized housing, but participants must pay their own room and board. [1, 2, 3]
Key Aspects of the ALW Program
- Eligibility: Must be full-scope Medi-Cal eligible with zero share of cost, require a nursing facility level of care, and be able to pay for room and board.
- Coverage & Availability: The program is authorized in 15 California counties (including Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco) through February 28, 2029.
- Services Provided: Includes care coordination, personalized care plans, 24-hour care, and routine, scheduled nursing visits.
- Goal: To provide a less restrictive, home-like environment, avoiding unnecessary institutionalization.
- Waitlist/Limitations: It is not an entitlement program, and spots are limited, often leading to waitlists. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
How to ApplyInterested individuals must work with a Care Coordination Agency (CCA) to conduct a nurse assessment and complete an application. A list of participating RCFEs and CCAs can be found on the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) website. [2, 6, 7, 8, 9]
AI responses may include mistakes.
Participants in the ALW have access to the following services:
- Assisted Living Services: The following is a list of some of the services that must be provided to ALW participants. These services may be provided in an RCFE, or by a licensed Home Health Agency to residents in public housing.
- Assisting in developing and updating an individualized care plan for each resident
- Personal care and assistance with activities of daily living
- Laundry
- Housekeeping
- Maintenance of the facility
- Providing intermittent skilled nursing care
- Meals and snacks
- Providing assistance with self-administration of medications
- Providing or coordinating transportation
- Providing recreational activities
- Providing social services
- Care Coordination: These services include identifying, organizing, coordinating and monitoring services needed by participants .
- Nursing Facility Transition Care Coordination: These services help transition participants from a nursing home to the community. CA Assisted Living Waiver
Resources & Links
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- DHCS.CA.Gov – CA Department of Health Care Services
- Assisted Living Waiver dchs.gov
- Elder Options – Private Website – DHCS subcontractor that can help people in Sacramento Area
- nolo.com when-californias-medi-cal-will-pay-nursing-home-assisted-living-home-health-care.
