Assisted Living Waiver Care in Fresno and Clovis
The California Assisted Living Waiver may help eligible Medi-Cal members receive approved care and support in a participating assisted living setting instead of a nursing facility. Attentive Senior Care helps prospective residents and authorized representatives understand our admission process and coordinate required facility information.
Attentive Senior Care does not determine or guarantee ALW eligibility, enrollment, authorization, placement, admission, payment, or processing time. Eligibility and enrollment decisions are made by the California Department of Health Care Services and authorized ALW Care Coordination Agencies. Admission is also subject to Attentive Senior Care’s assessment, available space, licensing requirements, and ability to meet the prospective resident’s needs.
What Is the Assisted Living Waiver?
The Assisted Living Waiver, commonly called ALW, is a California Medi-Cal program designed to help eligible individuals receive approved care and support in a participating assisted living setting.
The program may provide an alternative for eligible individuals who would otherwise require care at a nursing-facility level. A Care Coordination Agency evaluates the applicant, completes required assessments, helps develop the individualized care plan, and submits the enrollment documentation for review.
Who May Qualify for ALW?
General ALW eligibility requirements may include the following:
- The individual is 21 years of age or older.
- The individual has full-scope Medi-Cal with no share of cost.
- The individual’s care needs meet the required nursing-facility level of care.
- The individual can reside safely in an assisted living setting with available waiver services and supports.
- The individual is willing to live in a participating assisted living facility.
- The individual meets all current program, geographic, assessment, and enrollment requirements.
Meeting the general requirements does not guarantee ALW enrollment, facility acceptance, placement, or immediate availability. Final eligibility is determined through the official assessment and approval process.
What Services May Be Available Through ALW?
Depending on the individual’s approved care plan, ALW services may include assistance or supervision involving:
- Bathing and personal hygiene
- Dressing and grooming
- Toileting and continence care
- Transferring and mobility
- Medication assistance
- Meal support
- Personal care and supervision
- Dementia and cognitive support
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Care coordination
- Recreational and social activities
- Other authorized waiver services
The services available to each participant are determined by the approved individual care plan. Attentive Senior Care cannot promise that any particular service will be authorized or paid for by ALW.
Important Note: Does ALW Pay for Room and Board?
ALW does not generally pay the resident’s room-and-board obligation or personal expenses. Residents remain responsible for the applicable room-and-board payment and any other charges not covered by the waiver.
The amount and payment arrangement must be reviewed with the appropriate representatives before admission. Families should not assume that Medi-Cal or ALW will pay every cost associated with assisted living.
How the ALW Process Works
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Step 1
Initial Inquiry
The prospective resident or authorized representative contacts Attentive Senior Care to discuss care needs, desired location, timing, and possible facility availability.
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Step 2
Contact an Authorized Care Coordination Agency
An authorized ALW Care Coordination Agency performs the required screening, assessment, and care-coordination functions. Attentive Senior Care cannot replace the Care Coordination Agency or approve an applicant.
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Step 3
Eligibility and Care Assessment
The Care Coordination Agency evaluates the individual’s Medi-Cal status, level-of-care needs, safety considerations, and other applicable ALW requirements.
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Step 4
Facility Evaluation
Attentive Senior Care completes its own pre-admission assessment to determine whether the facility can safely and appropriately meet the prospective resident’s needs.
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Step 5
Documentation and Authorization
The Care Coordination Agency, applicable government agencies, health plans, healthcare providers, the resident or authorized representative, and the facility may exchange required documentation through approved and secure methods.
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Step 6
Admission and Services
Admission can occur only after all required approvals, facility requirements, agreements, payment arrangements, and placement conditions have been satisfied.
The order and timing of these steps may vary according to the applicant’s circumstances and current program requirements.
How Attentive Senior Care Supports the Process
Attentive Senior Care can assist prospective residents and authorized representatives by:
- Explaining our facility admission process
- Discussing current facility availability
- Scheduling a private tour
- Completing our pre-admission assessment
- Providing requested facility licensing information
- Coordinating with authorized Care Coordination Agencies
- Providing required facility documents through secure methods
- Participating in care-planning discussions when appropriate
- Communicating with hospitals, nursing facilities, healthcare providers, and authorized representatives
- Explaining room-and-board responsibilities and facility agreements
- Preparing for an approved resident’s transition into the facility
Attentive Senior Care does not control ALW eligibility determinations, government approvals, Care Coordination Agency decisions, waiting periods, authorization levels, or payment decisions.
Personalized Care in an Intimate Residential Setting
Attentive Senior Care provides personalized support in comfortable six-resident care homes serving Fresno and Clovis. Our smaller residential environment allows our team to become familiar with each resident’s routines, preferences, abilities, and support needs.
- Intimate six-resident care settings
- Individualized care planning
- Assistance with activities of daily living
- Medication assistance
- Dementia and cognitive support
- Nutritious meals and snacks
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Social and recreational activities
- Transportation coordination
- Hospice support when appropriate
- Communication with families and authorized representatives
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Assisted Living Waiver?
The Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a California Medi-Cal program that may help eligible individuals receive approved care and support in a participating assisted living setting rather than a nursing facility. Eligibility, assessment, authorization, and enrollment are handled through the applicable California Medi-Cal and ALW processes.
Who determines whether someone qualifies for ALW?
ALW eligibility and authorization are determined through the applicable California Medi-Cal and ALW process, including an authorized ALW Care Coordination Agency. Attentive Senior Care does not determine whether an individual qualifies for the waiver or authorize ALW services.
Does Medi-Cal or ALW pay all assisted living expenses?
No. ALW is intended to cover authorized waiver services for eligible participants and does not necessarily cover every expense associated with assisted living. Room and board, personal expenses, and other services or charges not covered by the waiver may remain the resident’s responsibility. Families should review all applicable costs and payment arrangements before admission.
Does ALW pay for room and board?
Generally, ALW does not pay the resident’s room-and-board obligation or all personal expenses. Residents remain responsible for applicable room-and-board payments and other costs that are not covered by the waiver. The specific payment arrangement should be reviewed with the appropriate representatives before admission.
Can Attentive Senior Care approve an ALW application?
No. Attentive Senior Care cannot approve an ALW application or determine ALW eligibility. The appropriate government agencies and authorized ALW Care Coordination Agencies handle eligibility, assessment, enrollment, and authorization. Attentive Senior Care can provide information about our facilities and admission process and coordinate with authorized parties as appropriate.
Does meeting the general requirements guarantee placement?
No. Meeting general ALW requirements does not guarantee ALW enrollment, authorization, facility acceptance, or placement. Admission to Attentive Senior Care depends on available space, licensing requirements, the individual’s care and support needs, and our ability to safely and appropriately meet those needs.
How long does the application and approval process take?
Processing times vary depending on the individual’s circumstances, Medi-Cal status, required assessments and documentation, Care Coordination Agency processes, program requirements, and facility availability. Attentive Senior Care cannot guarantee a specific processing or approval timeframe.
Can someone transfer from a nursing facility to Attentive Senior Care?
A person transitioning from a nursing facility may be able to explore an ALW-supported assisted living setting if they meet applicable program requirements and complete the required assessment and enrollment process. Attentive Senior Care can discuss our admission requirements and available locations, but approval and authorization are handled by the appropriate outside agencies. Admission remains subject to facility availability and our assessment of the individual’s needs.
Can someone living at home apply for ALW?
Someone living at home may be able to pursue the ALW process if they meet the applicable program requirements. Living at home does not by itself guarantee eligibility or enrollment. The appropriate ALW Care Coordination Agency and other authorized entities determine eligibility and complete the required assessment and enrollment process.
Can a family choose a specific Attentive Senior Care location?
Families may express a preference for a specific Attentive Senior Care location. However, a preferred location cannot be guaranteed. Placement depends on available space, the individual’s needs, licensing and facility requirements, and Attentive Senior Care’s ability to safely and appropriately meet those needs.
What happens if the preferred facility does not have an available room?
If the preferred Attentive Senior Care facility does not have an available room, the family may discuss other available Attentive Senior Care locations with our admissions team, when applicable. Placement is not guaranteed, and availability may change over time. ALW approval or authorization does not guarantee an immediately available room at a particular facility.
Does Attentive Senior Care accept every person approved for ALW?
No. ALW approval does not automatically guarantee admission to Attentive Senior Care. Each prospective resident is subject to our pre-admission assessment, facility requirements, available space, licensing requirements, and our ability to safely and appropriately meet the individual’s care and support needs. Attentive Senior Care may be unable to accept an individual even if that person has been approved for ALW services.
Request Assisted Living Waiver Assistance
Complete this form to request a telephone call from Attentive Senior Care. Submitting this form does not apply for ALW, determine eligibility, reserve a room, guarantee admission, or create an agreement for services.
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Long-Term Care Insurance Assistance
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