Medicaid Expansion In Arizona

Arizona accepted federal funding for Medicaid expansion under the leadership of former Governor Jan Brewer, a Republican. Largely as a result of Medicaid expansion, the states uninsured rate dropped from 17.1% in 2013 to 10% in 2016. It climbed over the next few years, reaching 11.3% in 2019, but that was in line with the nationwide increase in the uninsured rate under the Trump administration .

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Total enrollment in Arizona Medicaid and CHIP as of early 2021 stood at nearly 2 million people.

Arizonas Medicaid program, called the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS, utilizes private insurers that provide managed care services to Medicaid enrollees. As of 2021, there are eight managed care plans from which AHCCCS members can choose, although plan availability varies by location.

Obama Administration Approved Arizonas New Medicaid Waiver But With Several Provisions Removed

The state continued to work with CMS to come to an agreement on a new waiver, and in July 2016, Arizona published a revised version of their proposed Medicaid modernization waiver. In September 2016, CMS approved Arizonas waiver proposal, but eliminated the most conservative aspects of it. The new waiver runs for five years, through September 2021, and includes the following provisions:

• A new AHCCCS CARE program for enrollees with income above the poverty level . The program requires modest contributions to a health savings account, but the premiums can be deferred for six months if members complete various wellness and preventive care requirements.
• A job search program thats offered but not mandatory .

The Obama administration CMS declined several provisions of the original waiver proposal, including the five-year limit on AHCCCS benefits for able-bodied adults, and the work/job search requirement it was changed to a program in which beneficiaries are automatically enrolled, but AHCCCS benefits are not eliminated for those who dont actively participate.

CMS also refused to allow Arizona to charge premiums for beneficiaries with income under the poverty level, lock people out of re-enrolling in Medicaid for six months if they dont pay their premium contributions to the health savings account, or charge fees for missed medical appointments.

All of the details about Arizonas 1115 waiver proposal and the response from CMS are available here.

How Do I Provide Additional Information When Requested

To serve you better and to make sure you get all the benefits you need, please:

• Provide all the information and proof as soon as possible
• Contact us if you need help getting information, so we can assist you

You can mail or fax copies of the requested information. Please do not turn in original documents.

When you apply online at Health-e-Arizona Plus you can upload requested information or fax it with a cover sheet. in Health-e-Arizona Plus titled ‘How do I fax documents to HEAplus’)

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What If I Need Help With The Application Process

If you need assistance, please contact us.

You can also contact Community Assistors which help people complete and submit their Medical Assistance application. They will also help you understand eligibility rules and what may be required of you to participate in the program. Once your application is submitted, the Community Assistor may also help you get and submit verification documents . Some Assistors will be available to guide you through the entire process, and others will provide you with access to computers, scanners, telephones, copy machines and/or fax machines that you can use for free.

You can find a Community Assistor in your ZIP Code on the Get Help screen of Health-e-Arizona Plus. Also, many SNAP Community Partners are also Community Assistors that can help you apply for Medical Assistance.

It is recommended that you call the Assistor/Partner before visiting to make sure they offer the service you need and to make an appointment, if needed.

Who Is Eligible For Medicaid In Arizona

Arizona has taken a somewhat unique approach to income limitations for covered Medicaid populations. While many states cover children at much higher income level than adults, Arizona has established income limits that are relatively consistent across covered groups.

The Medicaid program in Arizona is called the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System . AHCCCS is available to:

• Children birth to 1 year with family income up to 147% of the federal poverty level
• Children 1 to 5 years with family income up to 141% of FPL
• Children 6 to 18 with family income up to 133% of FPL
• As of July 2016, children not eligible for Medicaid but with family income up to 200% of FPL are eligible for KidsCare
• Pregnant women with family income up to 156% of FPL
• Parents with family income up to 138% of FPL
• Childless, non-elderly adults with family income up to 138% of FPL
• Elderly and disabled individuals who have special requirements and meet certain income limits

Arizona froze enrollment in KidsCareits version of the Childrens Health Insurance Program in 2010, and discontinued KidsCare at the end of January 2014 due to lack of funding. For more than two years, Arizona was the only state that didnt have CHIP. But in July 2016, CMS approved Arizonas proposal to re-open CHIP. Enrollment began July 26, and coverage took effect as early as September 1, 2016. The state expected 30,000 to 40,000 children to be newly eligible for CHIP.

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Health Care Coverage For Arizona Residents

AHCCCS Complete Care health plans cover approximately 1.5 million AHCCCS members. Members choose from up to seven health plans in their geographic service area. ACC plans offer fully integrated behavioral and physical health services.

The Arizona Long Term Care System provides long term care for people who are elderly or who have physical or developmental disabilities, and require institutional level of care. Applicants must meet specific medical and financial eligibility requirements.

ALTCS members with additional intellectual and developmental disabilities receive long term care services through the Department of Economic Security Developmental Disabilities Division , and integrated physical and behavioral health care through DES/DDD contracted health plans.

As of 2019, three Regional Behavioral Health Authorities serve Arizona, with one RBHA in each geographical region. RBHAs primarily provide integrated healthcare services to AHCCCS members with Serious Mental Illness designation. RBHAs also oversee statewide crisis services and other grant and state funded services. Additionally, AHCCCS contracts with five Tribal Regional Behavioral Health Authorities , which provides behavioral health services to some tribal nations.

Children who are in the state foster care system receive physical health services through the Comprehensive Medical and Dental Program , and behavioral health services through RBHAs. Health plan integration is planned to begin on 10/1/2020.

Who Can Receive Services

AHCCCS offers medical programs and resources to serve Arizona residents who meet certain income and other requirements.

• Families With Children
• Individuals Who are 65 or Older
• Individuals Who are Blind or Have a Disability
• Individuals Who Require Nursing Home or In-Home Care
• Individuals With Developmental Disabilities who Need Long Term Care
• Individuals Who Need Help Paying Medicare Costs Only
• Individuals With High Medical Expenses
• Women Who Want Screening for Breast or Cervical Cancer
• Working Individuals With a Disability
• Small Business Owners

A full list of eligibility requirements and application information can be found on the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System website.

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Gift Card For Medicaid Members Who Get A Flu Shot

It is more important than ever to get a flu shot this winter. Please see your health care provider or go to an in-network pharmacy to get your flu shot. When your Medicaid vaccination claim is processed, a $10 Walmart gift card will be mailed to the address you have on file with AHCCCS. For more information contact Member Services at .

How To Create An Electronic Signature For The Ahcccs Online Form Online

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to eSign your ahcccsonline:

After that, your ahccs online is ready. All you have to do is download it or send it via email. signNow makes eSigning easier and more convenient since it provides users with a number of extra features like Invite to Sign, Merge Documents, Add Fields, and many others. And due to its multi-platform nature, signNow works well on any device, personal computer or mobile, irrespective of the operating system.

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When Does Coverage Start

AHCCCS Medicaid coverage generally starts the first day of the month in which you are found eligible. Applicants will receive a medical assistance letter that contains the official start date.

If you are unsure about applying for AHCCCS coverage, you can visit their official website to get support. If you have questions about AHCCCS coverage at Valleywise Health, call .

How To Create An Electronic Signature For The Ahcccs Online Form In Chrome

The guidelines below will help you create an eSignature for signing ahcccsonline in Chrome:

Once youve finished signing your ahccs online, decide what you wish to do next – save it or share the doc with other parties involved. The signNow extension offers you a variety of features to guarantee a better signing experience.

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When Will I Know If I Am Approved

A decision will be made by one of the following dates:

• Within seven days from the application date if you are hospitalized
• Within 20 days from the application date if you are pregnant
• At the latest, 45 calendar days from the application date

When a decision is made regarding your case, you will receive a letter containing the results. You can also monitor the status of your application online at Health-e-Arizona Plus.

Quick Guide On How To Complete Ahcccs Application

Forget about scanning and printing out forms. Use our detailed instructions to fill out and eSign your documents online.

SignNow’s web-based software is specially designed to simplify the organization of workflow and improve the process of competent document management. Use this step-by-step guide to complete the Ahcccsonline form quickly and with perfect precision.

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How Do I Qualify For Ahcccs

In most cases, individuals qualify for AHCCCS due to having a low income. While the specific criteria vary based on the number of people in the family, the age of those in the family, and any type of disability present, in general, children, pregnant women, caretakers, those with disabilities, or those over 65 can qualify if they are at or below the federal poverty line. Individual circumstances, such as the ability to obtain other insurance coverage, a history of cancer, ability to work, and requiring nursing home care can impact eligibility. Emergency-only coverage is also available for those who do not meet citizen or immigration status requirements.

It is important to note that if your application is still being processed or you are denied AHCCCS coverage, Arizona residents may qualify for mental health and drug and alcohol addiction treatment through the Regional Behavioral Health Authority.

Who Qualifies For Ahcccs Medicaid

To be eligible for Arizona AHCCCS Medicaid, you must:

• Be an Arizona Resident and a United States citizen or qualified immigrant.
• Have, or be eligible for, a Social Security number.
• Have a limited income.
• Be a senior, age 65+, or approved for Supplemental Security Income , based on disability, by the Social Security Administration.

The gross monthly income limit as of January 2021 was $1,415 for a single applicant and $1,911 for a family of two.

for additional information on eligibility.

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Arizona Lawmakers Have Pushed For Changes To Medicaid Eligibility And Benefits Since 2015

In the 2015 legislative session, Arizona lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1092, which made an effort to dial back the states expansion of Medicaid. SB1092 requires the state to submit an 1115 waiver request to CMS every year, asking for approval for new Medicaid eligibility guidelines.

Lawmakers wanted the new eligibility rules to include a five-year limit on Medicaid coverage for able-bodied adults, along with a provision requiring enrollees to be working or involved in job training or school. In August 2015, Governor Doug Ducey unveiled his proposals for Arizonas first Medicaid waiver proposal, including a work requirement and the five-year lifetime limit on Medicaid coverage for able-bodied adults. The idea was that Medicaid would remain a solid safety net for children and disabled adults, but that it would become a more temporary program for able-bodied adults. Duceys waiver proposal also included a requirement that enrollees pay increased premiums and cost-sharing and establish health savings accounts, and participate in various wellness programs like flu shots and glucose screening.

Many advocates for low-income Arizona residents were worried that Duceys proposal would be a setback, chipping away at the hard-won gains the state has made in reducing the uninsured rate.

What Is Ahcccs Insurance

Pronounced access, AHCCCS is the acronym for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. Founded in 1982, AHCCCS is Arizonas Medicaid program a federal healthcare program for individuals and their families who qualify for acute or long-term health services. People in Arizona with AHCCCS may qualify to receive free or low-cost addiction treatment so they can recover from drug dependence and addiction at drug and alcohol rehab centers that accept this insurance plan.

Types of AHCCCS Healthcare Plans:

• UnitedHealthcare
• Stewart Health Choice Arizona

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Who Is Eligible To Receive Ahcccs Insurance

AHCCCS insurance is available to Arizona residents who meet certain income criteria and other requirements. This insurance option is open to people of all ages from all walks of life including adults, children, seniors over the age of 65, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities or who require nursing home care. People who want to apply for AHCCCS insurance can review the eligibility criteria to determine whether they might qualify for this state insurance plan.

Des Virtual Office Services

On April 10, 2020, DES is implementing virtual office services in all locations to continue to better serve our customers and communities in this time of need while protecting the health and safety of our customers and staff. The Department is now directing individuals towards ways to access services virtually, through online options or telephones to the greatest extent possible, and limiting public traffic in lobbies and field offices per CDC public health guidance. Learn more:

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System is Arizona’s Medicaid agency that offers health care programs to serve Arizona residents. AHCCCS provides medical insurance coverage to thousands of Arizonans each year. It helps citizens obtain doctors office visits, physical exams, immunizations, prenatal care, hospital care and prescriptions they need.

AHCCCS offers many different medical programs. DES only determines eligibility for the following programs:

Medicaid for adults and children with limited income.

KidsCare for uninsured children under the age of 19 who have income higher than the Medicaid limit.

Eligibility for the Medical Assistance program is based on the following requirements:

• Income
• Pregnancy
• Citizenship and qualified non-citizen status

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Announcement Of The Inaugural Medicaid Innovation Collaborative Cohortyour Browser Indicates If You’ve Visited This Link

As a cohort, our programs have common needs and, through this collaborative, can leverage common solutions,” said Jami Snyder, Director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System .

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Need To Apply For Ahcccs Kidscare Medicare Savings Program Snap And Tanf

The same application can be used for all programs.You can apply by calling 1-855-HEA-PLUS or fill out an application online.

Need help with applying?Call 1-800-377-3536 to get connected with a certified bilingual assister or make an appointment online

If your application is approved, you can choose which AHCCCS health plan you would like to cover your benefits. If you dont select one. One will be chosen for you by AHCCCS. If you do not like the one chosen for you. You will have 90 days to switch to another AHCCCS health plan.