SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE BY ASSISTING WITH DAILY ACTIVITIES IN HOME AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS

Personal Assistance Services (PAS) in Arizona provide individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or aging-related needs with hands-on support to complete essential daily activities. These services are authorized under Arizona’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver programs and are designed to help individuals maintain independence, avoid institutional care, and participate fully in their communities.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
Role: Oversees provider enrollment, authorization, and reimbursement for Personal Assistance Services under Medicaid HCBS programs

Agency: Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
Role: Manages PAS delivery for DDD members under HCBS service models

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight to ensure PAS services comply with HCBS standards and person-centered care principles

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2. PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICE OVERVIEW

Personal Assistance Services provide direct support with daily living activities that individuals would normally perform themselves if they were physically able.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility
• Support with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) such as meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, and shopping
• Medication reminders (non-nursing)
• Assistance with health-related tasks as allowed under Arizona regulations
• Supervision and protective oversight to ensure participant safety
• Accompaniment to medical appointments and community activities

All services must be based on the participant’s person-centered service plan and focus on maintaining or improving independence.

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3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Arizona Corporation Commission
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Meet AHCCCS and/or DDD Qualified Vendor Application (QVA) requirements
• Maintain liability insurance
• Develop clear policies and procedures for personal care, health-related tasks, and participant rights
• Ensure staff meet competency and training requirements set by Arizona administrative codes

4. AHCCCS/DDD PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Request PAS Provider application materials from DDD or AHCCCS
• (Recommended) Attend HCBS or DDD provider orientation sessions

Application and Documentation Submission:

• Submit business license, staffing structure, and service delivery model
• Provide participant intake forms, care plans, and daily documentation templates
• Submit staff background check policies, CPR/First Aid certification verification, and training plans

Program Readiness Review:

• AHCCCS and/or DDD review provider readiness for service delivery
• Evaluation of staff training, documentation systems, and participant safety protocols

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Upon approval, complete registration with AHCCCS as a Medicaid provider
• Contract with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) or DDD if applicable
• Configure billing and service authorization tracking systems

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5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License
• IRS EIN confirmation
• NPI confirmation
• Liability insurance coverage

Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Participant intake and person-centered planning
• ADL/IADL assistance procedures
• Health-related task protocols (non-nursing)
• Emergency response and safety procedures
• Client rights, privacy policies, and grievance resolution
• Staff background checks, credentialing, and ongoing training records
• Incident reporting, infection control, and quality assurance protocols
• Medicaid billing, service tracking, and authorization management

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Personal Assistance Supervisor (optional depending on program size)
Requirements: Experience in personal care services, Medicaid documentation, background check clearance

Role: Personal Care Assistant / Direct Support Worker
Requirements: High school diploma or GED recommended; CPR/First Aid certification; background check clearance

All staff must complete:

• Orientation on Medicaid HCBS services and documentation requirements
• Training in ADL/IADL support, participant rights, and confidentiality
• Abuse prevention, emergency response, and infection control training
• Annual continuing education and competency evaluations

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Arizona Medicaid Waivers authorize Personal Assistance Services:

• Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) – Elderly and Physically Disabled (EPD) Program
• ALTCS – Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program
• Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) HCBS Programs

Approved providers may deliver:

• ADL and IADL support services tailored to individual needs
• Supervision and safety monitoring
• Support for community integration and participation
• Documentation of all services in accordance with the person-centered plan

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Initial Setup
Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: DDD Qualified Vendor Application or AHCCCS Enrollment
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring, Training, and Policy Finalization
Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: MCO Contracting and Medicaid Billing Setup
Timeline: 45–60 days

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
Website: https://www.azahcccs.gov/

Arizona Department of Economic Security – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
Website: https://des.az.gov/services/disabilities/developmental-disabilities

Arizona Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
Website: https://www.azahcccs.gov/PlansProviders/NewProviders/

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration and EIN/NPI setup
• AHCCCS and/or DDD application and documentation support
• Development of Personal Assistance Policy & Procedure Manual
• Staff credentialing templates and participant intake forms
• Medicaid billing and claims configuration
• Website, domain, and email setup
• Participant service authorization and care plan templates
• Staff training materials and incident tracking tools
• Quality assurance and participant satisfaction survey templates
• Community networking and referral development strategies
   

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ARIZONA PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES PROVIDER

We help agencies and entrepreneurs launch Medicaid-compliant Personal Assistance Services under Arizona’s HCBS Waiver programs.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​