The Assisted Living Waiver application is complex, time-consuming, and easy to get wrong. Our expert team prepares your complete application package so you can focus on running your facility and start accepting ALW residents sooner.
Getting approved for the Assisted Living Waiver program involves multiple agencies, strict requirements, and a paperwork burden that overwhelms most facility administrators.
The application spans multiple DHCS forms, Medi-Cal vendor approvals, and supporting documentation. Each has precise requirements that can trigger delays or denials if something is off.
You're running a care facility. Navigating government bureaucracy takes weeks of research and follow-up. Every delay is revenue you're not earning.
A single error (incorrect form, missing documentation, wrong answer at an interview) can set your approval back months or result in denial.
We take the burden off your plate from day one.
We review your facility's eligibility, walk you through the process, and answer all your questions. No cost, no obligation.
Our team gathers your documents, completes all DHCS forms, and prepares your full application package, handling every detail along the way.
Your facility submits the application directly to DHCS. We prep you for any interviews, stay involved through the review process, and help you respond to anything DHCS sends your way.
Our full-service package covers every step of the ALW enrollment process. Nothing falls through the cracks.
We complete all required DHCS and Medi-Cal forms, compile supporting documents, and prepare a complete, error-free application package.
We navigate the Medi-Cal provider enrollment process concurrently, so both approvals move forward at the same time.
We prepare you for DHCS interviews, including what questions to expect and how to respond, so you show up confident and ready.
Need to start accepting ALW residents sooner? Our expedited service fast-tracks your application for a faster approval timeline.
Don't have an NPI number yet? We help you request and coordinate your National Provider Identifier so it doesn't slow down your Medi-Cal enrollment.
Most newly approved providers aren't sure what to do next. We walk you through the steps after approval so you can start accepting ALW residents with confidence.
Get ALW was built specifically for RCFE and ARF operators who want to expand their services to ALW residents without the stress of navigating the application process alone.
Get a Free ConsultationWe handle all paperwork, forms, and submissions. You focus on running your facility.
Fluent English and Spanish staff. We serve operators in the language they're most comfortable with.
We typically have your application fully prepared in 2-3 weeks from the time we receive your documents. Expedited available.
We don't just file paperwork. We prepare you for every step of the state process.
We've navigated 50+ applications and know exactly what DHCS is looking for.
A real person guides you through every step, not a portal or an AI chatbot.
"I had no idea where to start with the ALW application. Get ALW handled literally everything. We were approved and accepting residents within a month. Incredible service."
"The bilingual support was a huge plus for us. They explained every step in Spanish and made the whole process feel manageable. Couldn't have done it without them."
"We chose the expedited option and moved through the process faster than we expected. The interview prep was invaluable. They made sure we knew exactly what to say."
The California ALW program operates in the following counties. We serve providers throughout all participating areas.
Everything you need to get approved for the California Assisted Living Waiver program, handled by our expert team from start to finish.
We prepare your entire ALW provider application from start to finish. Our team completes all required DHCS forms, gathers and organizes all supporting documentation, and assembles a complete, accurate application package. This eliminates the risk of errors or omissions that slow down approval.
In addition to the ALW application, facilities must be approved as Medi-Cal vendors before they can receive ALW reimbursements. We handle both processes concurrently, so your Medi-Cal enrollment doesn't hold up your ALW approval.
Many facilities don't realize that DHCS may conduct interviews as part of the approval process. We prepare you thoroughly, covering the types of questions asked, how to respond accurately and professionally, and what reviewers are looking for. Walk in confident, not caught off guard.
Need approval sooner? Our expedited service prioritizes your application and fast-tracks all internal processes to reduce your wait time. Ideal for facilities that have ALW referrals pending or are under time pressure to begin accepting Waiver residents.
Our bilingual team communicates fluently in both English and Spanish throughout every stage of the process. For Spanish-speaking facility administrators, this removes a significant barrier and ensures nothing gets lost in translation, especially on complex regulatory requirements.
Your facility submits the application directly to DHCS and handles communications with them throughout the process. We stay closely involved. If DHCS comes back with questions, requests for additional documentation, or anything else, we help you prepare the right response. You won't be navigating that alone. We also keep tabs on where things stand so you're never left in the dark.
A National Provider Identifier (NPI) is required for Medi-Cal vendor enrollment, and facilities that don't already have one often don't know where to start. We help you request your NPI and coordinate everything so this doesn't become a bottleneck in your enrollment timeline.
Getting approved is a big milestone, but most newly enrolled providers quickly realize they're not sure what happens next. How do referrals come in? What do you submit to get paid? What are your ongoing compliance obligations? We walk you through all of it so you can hit the ground running and start serving ALW residents with confidence.
We review your facility license, current occupancy, and county to confirm ALW program eligibility. We walk you through the process and answer all questions, at no cost.
We send you a simple checklist of documents we'll need from your facility. Most clients gather everything within a few days. We guide you through each item so nothing is missed.
Our team completes all DHCS forms and prepares your full application package. Typical preparation time is 1–2 weeks from document receipt.
If DHCS schedules an interview, we prepare you in advance with a full coaching session covering expected questions and ideal responses.
Your facility submits the completed application directly to DHCS. From there, we stay in your corner. If DHCS follows up with questions or requests, we help you respond quickly and accurately. DHCS review takes time, and we make sure you're never navigating that period alone.
Congratulations. Your facility is now an approved ALW provider. You can begin accepting Waiver residents and billing for the additional care services you provide.
Both options include our full done-for-you application service. Choose based on your timeline.
Get ALW was founded by care industry professionals who saw firsthand how many quality facilities were missing out on ALW program revenue, not because they weren't qualified, but because the application process stopped them.
Get ALW is a California-based consulting firm dedicated exclusively to helping RCFE and ARF operators get approved to participate in the Assisted Living Waiver program.
We've guided more than 50 facilities through the DHCS application process and know exactly what it takes to get approved efficiently. Our team includes care coordination specialists, bilingual support staff, and professionals with direct experience working within the ALW program.
We built a done-for-you service because facility administrators don't have time to become DHCS experts. That's our job. Yours is running a great care facility.
Every qualified facility deserves access to ALW program participation, regardless of language, technical knowledge, or resources.
We respect your time. Our streamlined process is designed to minimize what we need from you and maximize how fast we move.
Every application we submit is thoroughly reviewed before it leaves our hands. Errors slow things down, and we don't accept them.
The Assisted Living Waiver allows Medi-Cal beneficiaries to receive assisted living services in a residential setting as an alternative to nursing home care. For providers, ALW approval means:
Accept residents whose care is funded through the ALW program, expanding your facility's reach and revenue.
Provide housing and care services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who need them, expanding access to quality care in your community.
ALW placements through Care Coordination Agencies provide a consistent referral pipeline for your facility.
Serve the Medi-Cal population in your community, a meaningful extension of your facility's care mission.
Everything you need to know about ALW — what it is, who qualifies, and why becoming an approved provider is one of the best moves your facility can make.
The Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a Medi-Cal Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver administered by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). It allows Medi-Cal beneficiaries who need a nursing-home level of care to receive that care while living in a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) or Adult Residential Facility (ARF) — rather than being placed in a skilled nursing facility.
Under the ALW, Medi-Cal pays for the enrolled resident's personal care and supportive services. The resident pays for their own room and board out of their income. This makes ALW a powerful tool for keeping seniors and adults with disabilities in community-based settings where they can maintain greater independence and quality of life.
The program is coordinated through Care Coordination Agencies (CCAs) — organizations contracted with DHCS that assess residents, manage their care plans, and connect them with participating providers like your facility.
Once approved, your facility receives direct Medi-Cal reimbursement for each enrolled ALW resident's care services. Rates were updated in January 2026. This is stable, reliable revenue on top of the room-and-board your residents already pay.
There is a statewide waitlist of eligible residents seeking ALW placement — demand consistently exceeds the number of approved provider beds. Once you're enrolled, CCAs will actively refer qualified residents to your facility.
ALW approval sets your facility apart. Many RCFEs and ARFs are not enrolled. Being an approved ALW provider signals to families, referral partners, and placement agencies that your facility meets a higher standard of care coordination.
Enrolled providers work alongside a Care Coordination Agency that handles the clinical assessment and care planning for ALW residents. You get professional support for your most complex residents, reducing administrative burden on your staff.
ALW allows you to serve residents whose income would otherwise make it difficult to stay in assisted living. You can accept residents who rely on Medi-Cal for their care — a population that is large, growing, and underserved.
The ALW works alongside CalAIM Community Supports — California's expanded Medi-Cal managed care initiative. ALW-enrolled facilities are well-positioned to participate in the broader direction of California's long-term care policy.
ALW is designed for individuals who would otherwise require skilled nursing facility placement. To be eligible, a resident must:
Eligibility is assessed by a registered nurse from the Care Coordination Agency. Facilities do not determine eligibility — your role is to provide the care setting. The CCA handles clinical assessment, care planning, and enrollment coordination with DHCS.
The ALW program currently operates in these 15 California counties. If your facility is located in any of these counties, you may be eligible to apply.
A CCA registered nurse assesses the prospective resident to confirm they meet the ALW clinical eligibility criteria — nursing-home level of care need, Medi-Cal status, and ability to live safely in a community setting.
Once approved, the CCA works to place the resident in a participating ALW facility. This is why having your facility enrolled matters — the CCA can only refer residents to approved providers.
The CCA continues to manage the resident's care plan, conduct periodic reassessments, and coordinate with your facility. This is a collaborative relationship — your staff provides the care, the CCA manages the clinical and Medi-Cal documentation.
Your facility is reimbursed by Medi-Cal for the care services provided to each enrolled ALW resident. Rates are set by DHCS and updated periodically — the most recent update took effect January 2026.
Fill out the form below or give us a call. We'll schedule a free consultation and walk you through everything.
Whether you have questions about the ALW program, want to know if your facility qualifies, or you're ready to get started, reach out. We respond quickly.
No cost. No obligation. Just answers.