Every answer was written and checked ahead of time, with the official document next to it. Nothing is made up on the spot.
Do I need a license to run a non-medical home care agency in Arizona?
Our documents point to no, but don't settle it. Medicaid agencies register with AHCCCS.
ADHS's 27 license classes include none written for non-medical care in a client's home; its rules mention personal care at home as an optional "supportive service" of a licensed home health agency, and A.R.S. 36-151 defines a home health agency as one "primarily engaged in providing skilled nursing services and other therapeutic services." AHCCCS says its attendant care, personal care and homemaker agencies "are not required to be certified by a state regulatory board or agency," but they must register with AHCCCS and meet its training, background check and EVV rules. On the other hand, the licensing law defines a health care institution as any "place, institution, building or agency" that "provides facilities with" services that include personal care (help with daily activities that needs no professional training), and ADHS has a catch-all "unclassified health care institution" license and decides which class fits. Our documents don't say how ADHS applies this to non-medical agencies, so ask ADHS's Bureau of Medical Facilities Licensing before offering private-pay care. If you add nursing or therapy at home, expect to need the home health agency license.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
How do I get a home health agency license in Arizona?
Apply to ADHS.
The ADHS Bureau of Medical Facilities Licensing licenses home health agencies under A.A.C. Title 9, Chapter 10, Article 12. Apply with a $50 nonrefundable fee and a fingerprint clearance card for the applicant or each owner with 10% or more; within 60 days of approval, pay a $482 licensing fee, and pay it again each year. ADHS must decide on a complete first application within 90 days, and the license does not expire unless it is revoked, suspended or voided for unpaid fees. AHCCCS pays for home health through Medicare-certified agencies licensed by ADHS, and uses other state-licensed agencies only in limited cases.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
What training do direct care workers need in Arizona?
Pass AHCCCS tests within 90 days of hire.
DCWs must pass the Level I knowledge and skills tests, plus a Level II module unless they care only for family. They need 80% on each knowledge test and must pass all skills demonstrations. A DCW who has not done similar work in the last two years must pass before serving ALTCS members. Your agency must be, or use, an Approved DCW Training and Testing Program. DCWs also need current CPR and first aid, and six hours of continuing education each year.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
What background checks do I need for direct care workers?
Criminal check plus APS and DCS registries.
At hire and every three years, run a nationwide criminal background check. At hire and every year, search the APS and DCS registries, and get a notarized attestation from the worker. Agencies that must follow the fingerprint clearance card law (A.R.S. 36-411 covers home health agencies) are treated as meeting the criminal check, but still must check the registries. A worker with a substantiated APS or DCS report cannot serve ALTCS members.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Which EVV system do Arizona providers use?
One you choose and pay for.
Since Oct. 1, 2025, each provider contracts with its own EVV vendor, which sends visit data to the AHCCCS Aggregator. The state-sponsored Sandata system stopped on Sept. 30, 2025. New providers sign an EVV attestation and send it to their health plan, not to AHCCCS, if they contract with a plan.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Do live-in caregivers have to use EVV in Arizona?
Yes.
AHCCCS decided to keep EVV for members with live-in caregivers. You must record each live-in caregiver and their relationship to the member in your EVV system within 30 days of hire or of any change. A schedule is not required, and paper timesheets with a time-stamp device may be allowed, with a signed attestation, when other methods would be burdensome.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Which health plans pay for home care in Arizona?
ALTCS health plans and DES/DDD.
For elderly and physically disabled members (ALTCS-EPD), the plans are UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Banner-University Family Care and Mercy Care, depending on the county. AHCCCS extended their contracts through Sept. 30, 2026, after a court stopped the move to new contracts, and has since asked for input on an upcoming ALTCS E/PD request for proposals; our documents don't say which plans serve members after Sept. 30. Members with developmental disabilities are served through DES/DDD.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Can family members be paid caregivers through my agency?
Yes, with limits.
Spouses can be paid for up to 40 hours of attendant care in seven days. Parents of minor ALTCS members can be paid up to 40 hours a week per child under the Parents as Paid Caregivers model, and must work through one agency. No caregiver may give more than 16 hours of paid care in 24 hours.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
How often must my agency make supervisory visits?
Days 5, 30, 60 and 90, then every 90 days.
The first visit is due by day 5 of a new worker's service and may be by phone or video. Visits follow on day 30, day 60 (if there are issues) and day 90, when the worker must be present. After that, visit at least every 90 days; two visits a year may be by video.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
How fast must I report an incident to AHCCCS?
Two business days under AHCCCS policy (one for sentinel events); fee-for-service providers are asked for 24 hours.
AMPM 961 says incidents, accidents and deaths go into the AHCCCS QM Portal within two business days, and sentinel events within one business day. AHCCCS's fee-for-service newsletter asks fee-for-service providers to report within 24 hours. Your health plan may ask you to report to it instead of entering the report yourself.
Written and checked September 23, 2026