For more than 30 years, ACACIA Insurance has helped Arizona residents plan for their long-term care needs. As fully independent advisors, we compare highly rated insurance companies and policy types so you receive personalized and unbiased recommendations.
We review benefits, features, and pricing to help you choose the long-term care insurance plan that fits your goals and your budget.
Compare Arizona QuotesLong-term care costs in Arizona vary across the state, with major metro areas like Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma often showing higher prices than smaller regions. The table below shows the 2025 average cost of care in several key Arizona locations.
Long-Term Care Rates in Arizona – 2025 | |||
| Region | Nursing Home (private room) | Assisted Living (private room) | Home Health Aide (44 hours weekly) |
| Arizona Average | $95,177 | $65,726 | $78,380 |
| Flagstaff | $102,879 | $78,487 | $58,821 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | $84,783 | $56,917 | $62,660 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $98,825 | $65,946 | $84,899 |
| Prescott-Prescott Valley | $99,112 | $68,563 | $59,297 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas | $91,884 | $63,389 | $70,790 |
| Tucson | $106,857 | $60,642 | $76,584 |
| Yuma | $111,869 | $60,141 | $64,874 |
Medicare provides very limited long-term care coverage, primarily up to 100 days of skilled nursing care following a 3-day hospital stay. It does not cover custodial care (help with daily activities), which represents over 90% of long-term care needs. This limited coverage is why many Arizona residents consider long-term care insurance.
Get complete details about Medicare’s limited LTC coverage.
When is the best age to get long-term care insurance? It depends on your health, finances, and goals, but there are general guidelines that apply to most Arizona residents:
One of our licensed Arizona long-term care professionals can help you determine the best timing based on your health and goals, and provide personalized quote comparisons.
Find Out If You QualifyArizona residents have several long-term care insurance options to protect against the high costs of care. Understanding each type helps you choose coverage that fits your needs and budget.
What It Is: A standalone policy specifically designed to cover comprehensive long-term care expenses, including in-home care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. These policies are fully portable and provide coverage wherever you receive care.
Coverage Benefits: Provides the most extensive long-term care coverage per dollar spent with flexible daily or monthly benefit amounts for your selected benefit period. Ideal for Arizona residents planning comprehensive care coverage.
Premium Structure: Recurring payments (monthly, quarterly, or annually). Premiums may experience rate adjustments over time based on insurance company claims experience.
Health Requirements: Requires full medical underwriting with stricter health qualifications than hybrid options. Your current health can significantly impact eligibility and premium costs for Arizona applicants.
Tax Advantages for Arizona Residents: Premiums for tax-qualified long-term care insurance policies may qualify as medical expenses for federal tax deductions (subject to income thresholds). Arizona follows federal tax treatment, and benefits received are generally tax-free.
What It Is: A permanent life insurance policy with an added LTC benefit rider that allows policyholders to access the death benefit early for qualified long-term care expenses, regardless of where care is received.
Coverage Benefits: Typically provides 2-4% of the death benefit monthly for long-term care with guaranteed cash value growth. Unused benefits pass to beneficiaries tax-free.
Premium Structure: Guaranteed level premiums that NEVER increase. Higher initial cost than traditional LTC insurance but protected from future rate increases. Can provide important stability for Arizona residents on fixed incomes.
Health Requirements: Moderate medical underwriting with more flexible health guidelines than traditional LTC insurance, making qualification easier for many Arizona applicants with health issues.
Tax Advantages for Arizona Residents: Can utilize 1035 exchanges from appropriate existing policies without tax consequences and can be funded with qualified retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s).
What It Is: A fixed rate or indexed deferred annuity contract with an integrated long-term care benefit rider, ideal for those seeking asset protection with a simplified approval process. Coverage is portable and can be used anywhere care is needed.
Coverage Benefits: Typically multiplies your annuity value by 2-3 times for long-term care expenses. For example, a $100,000 annuity might provide $200,000-$300,000 in LTC coverage. If not exhausted for healthcare, the annuity value transfers to your estate at death.
Premium Structure: Can be purchased with a single premium payment with NO future premium payments or rate increases. Best for Arizona residents with existing assets to reposition for long-term care planning.
Health Requirements: Simplified underwriting with the most lenient health qualifications, sometimes requiring only a phone interview rather than medical exams or records review. Ideal for Arizona residents with health concerns.
Tax Advantages for Arizona Residents: Supports tax-free 1035 exchanges from existing annuities, and LTC benefits are generally received tax-free under current Arizona and federal tax regulations.
What It Is: Provides coverage for care in a nursing home, assisted living, or at home for a shorter duration, typically up to 12 months. Coverage is portable and can be used wherever you need short-term care.
Coverage Benefits: Helps cover costs for short-term care needs, including recovery from surgery, illness, or injury. Most policies have a 0-day deductible with benefits paid as soon as you qualify. This bridges gaps before long-term care insurance or Medicare coverage begins for services like home health aides.
Premium Structure: Generally lower than long-term care insurance due to the shorter benefit period, making it an affordable option for many Arizona families.
Health Requirements: Often features simplified underwriting with fewer health questions, making it easier to qualify. Very helpful for Arizona residents who may not meet traditional long-term care insurance health or age requirements.
The Arizona Long-Term Care Partnership Program (PDF) is a collaboration between the State of Arizona and private insurance companies. It helps residents protect their savings while planning for future long-term care needs.
Partnership-certified policies follow state-approved standards and offer a key advantage: for every dollar your policy pays in benefits, an equal amount of your assets are protected from Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) spend-down requirements. These assets are also shielded from Medicaid Estate Recovery.
To learn how Partnership policies work, what they protect, and which companies offer Partnership-certified coverage, visit our Arizona Long-Term Care Partnership Guide.
Arizona residents have access to long-term care insurance from a wide range of trusted, financially strong carriers. We work with multiple top-rated LTC insurance providers to help you find a plan that fits your age, health, and budget, whether you’re looking for a traditional policy or a hybrid life + LTC option.
Below is a list of long-term care insurance companies available in Arizona:
AARP member? See your AARP long-term care insurance options >
These companies offer a mix of traditional and asset-based (hybrid) long-term care insurance policies. Availability and pricing vary based on your age, health history, and the type of coverage you need.
Arizona long-term care insurance costs range from $1,500 to $5,000+ annually, depending on your age, health, and coverage choices. Most people pay between $2,000 – $3,000 per year for comprehensive coverage.
Several factors influence your premium:
Our Arizona long-term care specialists help you compare a wide range of planning products and strategies. You’ll receive personalized recommendations based on your age, health, and goals, along with guidance on the insurance companies best suited to your situation. You’ll get professional help with:
✔ Choosing from multiple long-term care planning products
✔ Selecting the insurance company best suited to your needs
✔ Medical underwriting (qualifying) for coverage
Yes, long-term care insurance policies purchased in Arizona remain valid nationwide. Most major insurers offer portable coverage that follows you regardless of relocation. Your benefits and coverage limits remain unchanged, ensuring continuous protection even if you move from Arizona to another state.
Yes, Arizona participates in the Long-Term Care Partnership Program, allowing residents to protect assets equal to their policy benefits while potentially qualifying for Medicaid after benefits exhaust. These specially-certified policies help Arizonans preserve inheritance for heirs while securing quality care. Get details on Partnership Long-Term Care Insurance >
Yes, Arizona residents may deduct qualified long-term care insurance (LTCI) premiums as part of their federal medical expense deduction, subject to age-based IRS limits. For individuals who itemize deductions, eligible premiums can be included to the extent that total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI).
However, many self-employed business owners are exempt from the 7.5% AGI threshold and can deduct LTCI premiums directly as a business expense.
In Arizona, eligibility primarily depends on your health history and current age. While many Arizonans with pre-existing conditions can qualify, disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or requiring immediate assistance typically result in denial. For residents with health concerns, a long-term care annuity offers less stringent underwriting and may provide viable coverage alternatives. Short-term care insurance may be another option to consider.
In 2025, Arizona’s annual long-term care costs average $95,177 for a private room in a Nursing Home, $65,726 for Assisted Living Facilities, and $78,380 for Home Health Aides (based on 44 hours weekly). These substantial expenses underscore why proper long-term care insurance planning is essential for Arizona residents.
No. Arizona does not have a long-term care payroll tax, and the state has not proposed legislation similar to the Washington Cares Fund. Arizona residents can still purchase private long-term care insurance voluntarily, including Partnership-certified policies that provide added protection through the Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS).
Last updated: December 01, 2025
Written by: Craig Matesky, President, ACACIA Insurance
Reviewed by: Mike Berger, National Sales Manager
Sources:
Note: Coverages and features vary between insurers, differ by state, and may not be available in all locations.