Insurance

Launch & Renewals

Launch & Renewals Established by California legislation and approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), ALW operates in five-year waiver periods. The current term runs March 1, 2024 – February 28, 2029.

Participating Counties

Participating Counties Available in 15 counties, including San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange, and others.

Key Goals

• Support safe transitions of Medi‑Cal‑eligible individuals from nursing facilities to home-like residential settings.
• Prevent institutionalization by providing robust in-community care

Medi‑Cal covers a range of care and coordination services including:

• Personal care, homemaker services, and home-health aide support (tiered reimbursement per diem)
• Quarterly in-person nurse/social worker visits, individualized care planning, supervision, meals, transportation, recreation, and laundry

• The current ALW is approved through Feb 28, 2029.
• CMS has expanded program capacity via amendments:
• Slot expansions (e.g., +1,800 slots in Jan 2024, +7,000 in July 2021)
• Emergency Appendix K flexibility (e.g., wildfire response)
• Enrollment depends on available slots; there's often a waitlist—interested individuals should connect with a Care Coordination Agency (CCA).

Grievance & Appeal Rights

Concerns can be reported to:

• The CCA (via phone, email, mail)
• DHCS (via email ALWGrievances@dhcs.ca.gov for care coordination issues)
• CA Dept. of Social Services for unresolved matters via (844) 538‑8766 letusno@dss.ca.gov.