Arizona Life and Health Practice Exam

Which program offers coverage for nursing home (custodial) care without requiring prior hospitalization?

1. Medicare

2. AHCCCS

3. Medigap

4. Private insurance

The correct answer is: AHCCCS

The AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) is a Medicaid program that provides healthcare coverage for low-income individuals and families in Arizona. One of the key benefits of AHCCCS is that it offers coverage for long-term care services, which includes custodial care in nursing homes, without the need for prior hospitalization. This is a significant distinction, as certain programs, such as Medicare, typically require a hospital stay before coverage for skilled nursing facility care begins. Medigap policies are supplementary insurance plans designed to fill the gaps left by Medicare, but they do not offer long-term custodial care coverage. Private insurance can vary widely in terms of what it covers, but many plans do not provide the same level of coverage for custodial care as AHCCCS does. Thus, AHCCCS is notably designed to address the needs for long-term care in a more accessible manner, particularly for those who may not otherwise afford such services.