Guidant Care
Assisted Living Services

An ALW Care Coordination Agency

Let us help you get approved to participate in the California Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver Program.

The California Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver was designed to create affordable housing options to seniors and individuals with disabilities at an affordable monthly rate.

Get Started

Enrollment Process

1

Apply –
Pre-Eligibility

Complete and submit the application packet to determine if you meet the pre-eligibility criteria. If all pre-eligibility criteria are met, Guidant Care will assist you with the enrollment process for ALW at no cost.

2

Waitlist Process

If you have been hospitalized or residing in a Skilled Nursing Facility for over 60-days, you may qualify for immediate assessment and Waitlist Request is not required. If you are currently residing at home or in an assisted living setting, you will be placed on the Dept of Health Care Services (DHCS) Waitlist. Once the application is submitted, we will process your information and submit a Waitlist Request to DHCS. Guidant Care ALW Waitlist is currently averaging 6-8 months. Once Waitlist Released, our team will contact you to schedule an Initial Assessment.

3

Assessment

One of our RN Care Coordinator’s will conduct an in-person or virtual assessment to determine your Medical ALW Eligibility, using the DHCS Assessment Tool. The DHCS Assessment Tool will evaluate and thoroughly review all your care needs. If eligible, our team will review and submit complete assessment to DHCS for Approval.

4

Review & Approval

The Department of Health Care Services may take up to 45-days to approve the initial assessment. Once review is complete and approval is received, we have 180-days from the initial assessment submission date to secure placement at an ALW Approved Facility.

5

Transition into an ALW Approved Facility

With over 800+ ALW Approved Facilities to choose from in California, our team will work with you and your loved ones to make sure we secure placement at an ALW Approved Facility that can accommodate and provide the care you need. 

6

Ongoing Care Oversight

As the Care Coordination Agency (CCA), we will continue to monitor and oversee participants’ care throughout their enrollment. An RN Care Coordinator or Social Worker will visit on a monthly basis to check-in and ensure participants are receiving adequate care at the facility based on their ALW Individual Service Plan.

FAQs

See most frequently asked questions.

What is the Assisted Living Waiver Program?

The California Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a waiver that was created by legislation to provide assisted living care services as a Medi-Cal benefit. Visit the Department of Health Care Services to learn more.

What are the ALW Eligibility Requirements?
  • Age 21 or older;
  • Have full-scope Medi-Cal eligibility with zero share of cost;
  • Enrolled in SSI/SSP/SSD receive enough income to pay the monthly room and board amount.
  • Have care needs equal to those of Medi-Cal-funded residents living and receiving care in Nursing Facilities;
  • Willing to live in an assisted living setting as an alternative to a Nursing Facility;
  • Able to reside safely in an assisted living facility or public subsidized housing;
  • Willing to live in an assisted living setting located in one of the following counties providing ALW services: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma counties
Can I apply without Medi-Cal benefits?
Yes. As long as you provide us, your Care Coordination Agency (CCA), with your social security number and date of birth we can add you to the waitlist. You will need to enroll in Medi-Cal by the time we have to assess.
Is this program free?

ALW Services are funded through the participants Medi-Cal. There are no out-of-pocket expenses due and payable to Guidant Care from clients or family members. Participants are only required to pay ALW Room & Board Rate to Assisted Living Facility each month.

What is the cost of room and board?

ALW Room & Board Rate as of January 2024 is $1,398.07 per month.
Room & Board cost is determined each year based on the federal Social Security Administration (SSA) published maximum SSI benefits available to beneficiaries in different living arrangements. Most ALW participants use their Social Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) to pay for rent.

Are people able to choose their own facility?

Yes. You have a choice of which approved facility where you wish to reside. Be advised, each facility must also confirm they can accommodate care level before admission. 

I have Medi-Cal benefits, is there an auto-enrollment in the waiver?

No. Having Medi-Cal benefits allows you to participate in the program but does not mean that a participant is auto-enrolled. You still need to apply with a Care Coordination Agency (CCA) to be enrolled.

Get Started

For information or to request an application, please provide your information below and one of our team members with contact you shortly

About Us

Guidant Care Management is a Care Coordination Agency (CCA) For the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) program. We have been coordinating care for people in Northern and Southern California since 2006. Our team specializes in the enrollment process and is dedicated to helping participants find placement in an approved assisted living facility that can best meet their care needs.

Resources

Contact Information

Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Phone: 844-494-6304
Fax: 310-220-3121
Email us at: [email protected]

Areas We Serve

Proudly Serving the Following Counties:

We work with over 800 assisted living facilities that participate in the ALW program. Many have room availability to accept and care for our clients in the following California counties: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Orange County, Riverside County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County, and San Diego County.

Corona, Eastvale, Mira Loma, Moreno Valley, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley, Norco, Desert Hot Springs, Hemet, Menifee, Perris, Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar, Palm Springs

 

Placentia, Orange, Fullerton, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton, Irvine, Fountain Valley, La Habra, Anaheim Hills, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Buena Park, Huntington Beach, Stanton, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Midway City, Tustin, Fountain Valley, Yorba Linda, Laguna Hills, Corona Del Mar, Westminster
Oceanside, Escondido, San Diego, El Cajon, Lakeside, Chula Vista, San Marcos, Vista, Carlsbad
Fontana, Apple Valley, Ontario, Redlands, Yucaipa, Joshua Tree, Loma Linda, Hesperia, Victorville, Alta Loma, Chino Hills, Upland, Montclair, Mentone, Angelus Oaks, Rialto, Yucca Valley
Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova

Stockton, Escalon, Lathrop, Lodi, Manteca, Ripon, Tracy