Overview
Time to read: 6 minutes
Overview: Key Points
- Assisted living in California often costs several thousand dollars a month, and Medicare does not cover long term assisted living care.
- The Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a Medi-Cal program that helps eligible members receive care in licensed assisted living communities instead of nursing homes. Riverside County is one of 15 California counties where it is offered.
- Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), the Medi-Cal health plan serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties, offers a Community Support that can help eligible members move into or stay in assisted living.
- Both programs cover care services. Residents still pay the community directly for room and board, usually from their monthly income.
- Veterans benefits, long term care insurance, and other options can also help families in Hemet, Menifee, Murrieta, Perris, Sun City, and Lake Elsinore afford senior living.
When a parent or spouse starts needing more help at home, the first question is usually about care. The second is almost always about cost. For many families across Hemet, Menifee, Murrieta, Perris, Sun City, and Lake Elsinore, assisted living feels out of reach financially, even when it is the right fit.
The good news is that California offers programs designed to close that gap. If you or a loved one is enrolled in Medi-Cal, two options are worth knowing about: the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) Community Supports. Here is what each one does, who may qualify, and how to get started.
Why Families Look for Help Paying for Assisted Living
Assisted living provides daily support with activities like bathing, dressing, and medication management, along with meals, housekeeping, and a social, engaging lifestyle. That level of care comes with a monthly cost that many retirees cannot cover on Social Security alone.
Many families are surprised to learn that Medicare does not pay for long term assisted living. Medicare focuses on medical care such as hospital stays, doctor visits, and short term skilled nursing. That is why Medi-Cal programs like ALW and IEHP Community Supports matter so much for local seniors.
What Is the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)?
The Assisted Living Waiver is a California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) program that helps eligible Medi-Cal members who need a high level of daily support receive care in a licensed assisted living community instead of a nursing home. The goal is simple: give seniors a more home-like choice while keeping them safe and supported.
The program is available in 15 California counties, including Riverside County. That means residents of Hemet and the surrounding communities may be able to use it at participating assisted living communities like Cottages at Hemet.
What ALW covers
ALW pays for assisted living care services, such as personal care, help with daily activities, and care coordination. Residents pay the community directly for room and board, typically from their monthly income, and keep a portion for personal needs.
Who may qualify for ALW
According to DHCS, applicants must:
- Be 21 or older
- Have full scope Medi-Cal with no share of cost
- Have care needs equal to those of someone who would qualify for nursing home care
- Be able to live safely in an assisted living setting
- Be willing to live in an assisted living community in a participating county, such as Riverside County
A note about the waitlist
ALW enrollment is limited, and DHCS currently maintains a waitlist. Open spots are released to Care Coordination Agencies on a regular basis, so it pays to start the process early.
How IEHP Can Help
Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is the Medi-Cal health plan serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Through California’s CalAIM initiative, IEHP offers Community Supports, which are extra services designed to help members live safely in the community.
One of these services helps eligible members transition from a nursing facility into assisted living, or move into assisted living to avoid a nursing home stay altogether. This Community Support is now called Assisted Living Facility Transitions. IEHP Community Supports are open to Medi-Cal and IEHP DualChoice members who meet eligibility requirements.
Who may qualify for IEHP assisted living support
- Members living at home who need a nursing home level of care and would prefer to remain in the community
- Members who have lived in a nursing facility for 60 days or more and want to move to assisted living
- Members who can live safely in an assisted living community with the right support
As with ALW, residents generally contribute a portion of their income toward room and board.
How to Get Started
- Confirm Medi-Cal enrollment. If you are not yet enrolled, you can apply through BenefitsCal or the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services.
- Talk with the community. Our team at Cottages at Hemet can walk you through the process and help you understand your options.
- Contact a Care Coordination Agency for ALW. DHCS maintains a list of approved agencies that handle assessments and waitlist placement.
- Call IEHP Member Services. IEHP members can ask about Community Supports by calling 1-800-440-IEHP (4347).
- Gather documents early. Proof of income, Medi-Cal information, and recent medical records can help keep things moving.
Other Ways to Pay for Senior Living
If Medi-Cal programs are not the right fit, other options may help:
- VA Aid and Attendance: Wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities may qualify for an added monthly pension benefit that can be put toward assisted living.
- Long term care insurance: Many policies cover assisted living and memory care. Review your policy’s benefit triggers and elimination period.
- Life insurance options: Some policies can be converted or borrowed against to help fund care.
- Home equity: Selling a home or using a reverse mortgage can help cover monthly costs.
- Family contributions: Some families share costs among siblings or combine several sources.
A free consultation with a local benefits counselor can help you sort through these choices. The Riverside County Office on Aging is a helpful starting point.
Summary and Resources
Assisted living may be more affordable than you think. For Medi-Cal members in Riverside County, the Assisted Living Waiver and IEHP Community Supports can help cover the cost of care in a licensed assisted living community, while residents pay room and board from their income. ALW has a waitlist, so starting early matters. Veterans benefits, insurance, and home equity can also help fill the gap. Whatever your situation, the right support is out there, and our team is ready to help you find it.
Helpful Resources
- Assisted Living Waiver overview and eligibility (California Department of Health Care Services)
- IEHP Community Supports (Inland Empire Health Plan), or call IEHP Member Services at 1-800-440-IEHP (4347)
- Community Supports Policy Guide (DHCS)
- Apply for Medi-Cal through BenefitsCal
- Riverside County Department of Public Social Services
- VA Aid and Attendance benefits (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Riverside County Office on Aging
- CalAIM assisted living transitions report (California Health Care Foundation)
This article is for general information only. Program rules and availability change, so please confirm eligibility with DHCS, IEHP, or a Care Coordination Agency.
About Cottages at Hemet
Nestled among towering palm and oak trees under the sunny Southern California sky, Cottages at Hemet offers Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Respite Care in an intimate, neighborly setting with classic Craftsman charm. We are proud to participate in the Assisted Living Waiver program and to work with IEHP, helping eligible Medi-Cal members access quality care close to home.
Residents enjoy round-the-clock care and assistance with daily activities, along with a rich, engaging lifestyle filled with opportunities to make friends, explore hobbies, and enjoy life in a fully supported setting. We handle everything from cooking and cleaning to coordinating activities.
Our community features six unique cottages with 15 studio and one bedroom apartments with ensuite baths, plus a shared kitchen, living room, and activity space. Every cottage offers activities, amenities, and care tailored to the residents who live there.
Life here extends beyond our campus. Our resident’s families enjoy nearby Diamond Valley Lake, offering peaceful walking trails, wildflower fields, and lovely spots for fishing and picnics. Perfect for anyone looking to spend time with their loved one outside of our community. We are also close to trusted medical providers, including Hemet Global Medical Center, along with Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart pharmacies for everyday essentials. Conveniently located in Hemet, we welcome families from Menifee, Murrieta, Perris, Sun City, Lake Elsinore, and across Southwest Riverside County.
Want to learn whether ALW or IEHP could help your family? Call us at (951) 922-5982 to ask questions or schedule a personal tour.