Partial federal government shutdown
HCA does not anticipate any immediate impacts to our services or disruption to provider payments at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates if anything changes.
HCA does not anticipate any immediate impacts to our services or disruption to provider payments at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates if anything changes.
Find information about eligibility for long-term services and supports (LTSS) and hospice.
Apply for or renew Apple Health coverage through:
Apple Health helps pay for care if you meet certain criteria based on your finances and a functional assessment. Care may be provided in the following settings:
LTSS programs are tailored to fit individual needs and situations. Home and Community Based (HCB) services enable people to continue living in their homes with assistance to meet their physical, medical, and social needs. Examples include the Home and Community Services (HCS) and Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) waivers or Community First Choice (CFC). When these needs can't be met at home, care in a residential or nursing facility is available.
Income and resource standards apply to LTSS coverage. A person must meet both financial and comprehensive functional assessment requirements to be eligible for LTSS programs. View the LTSS fact sheet to learn more.
Income and resource exemption
The test for resources is waived and no income limits apply for LTSS provided under the Apple Health for adults and Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD) programs.
TSOA and MAC programs assist caregivers currently caring for a friend or family member at no cost. Services available under these programs include:
The care receiver must be age 55 or older, and the caregiver must be age 18 or older.
For TSOA: Income and resource standards apply. A person must meet both financial and functional requirements to be eligible. The TSOA program supports unpaid caregivers and does not offer medical coverage.
For MAC: This service is available for clients receiving Apple Health benefits.
Hospice is a 24-hour intermittent program coordinated by a hospice interdisciplinary team for persons with terminal illnesses and prognoses of six months or less to live. Hospice allows terminally ills clients to choose physical, pastoral/spiritual, psychosocial comfort, and palliative care rather than a cure. Hospitalization is used only for acute symptom management.
Hospice care is initiated by the client, or in certain circumstances, the family or physician. The client’s physician must certify a client as appropriate for hospice care. Hospice can be revoked at any time by the client, family, or hospice agency (discharge).
Hospice care may be provided in a client’s home, in a medical institution (including a hospice care center), nursing facility or an alternate living facility.
Hospice is a covered service under most Apple Health programs. However, those who don't qualify for Apple Health through Washington Healthplanfinder may be eligible for coverage under the Hospice Program, which has higher income and resources standards.
LTSS services begin once clients have been determined to meet nursing facility level of care and a caregiver is in place to provide services. You'll receive a Services Card about two weeks after your application is processed and you're deemed eligible. Apple Health coverage will begin on the first day of the month in which the application was submitted if you're eligible for LTSS that month. You'll be auto-enrolled into a managed care plan, unless you have Medicare, other comprehensive insurance, or live in a nursing facility.
For your local Home and Community Services office
Online: Visit the DSHS site for office locations