Publisher's Synopsis
Arizona is the only state in the nation that uses a state-wide mandatory managed care system to deliver long-term care services to low-income Medicaid populations. Arizona's Medicaid program, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), through its Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS), makes capitated payments to managed care organisations which are contracted to deliver long-term care services. The design of the contracts includes cost-effectiveness incentives to encourage managed care organisations to serve persons in home and community-based services when possible rather than in institutional settings. ALTCS staff, advocates and providers point to a number of issues, including challenges Arizona faces in attracting and retaining nursing and paraprofessional staff to provide Medicaid-covered long-term care services, the implementation of Medicaid eligibility rules, equity of access to services, and delays in eligibility determinations. This new book examines the details of these issues.
