By Tom Grote

Since the declaration of a public health emergency (PHE) at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people enrolled in Medicaid have been protected from losing health care coverage in Arizona. As the PHE unwinds, Arizona's Medicaid agency, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), will begin its regular renewal process on April 1, 2023, to determine who still qualifies for coverage. This puts over 600,000 people in the state at risk of losing their health insurance, either because they no longer meet requirements for enrollment or because of a lack of response to requests for updated information.

What to expect

Nearly 75% of AHCCCS renewals will be completed automatically and members won’t be required to provide any further information to avoid losing health care coverage in Arizona. If coverage is continued automatically, a summary letter will be mailed to the member.  

To avoid losing health care coverage in Arizona, Medicaid members should verify that their contact information is up to date with AHCCCS. Change of address and other updates can be made easily online by logging in and selecting "Report a Change." Members without internet access can call 1-855-HEA-PLUS to update their account.

If coverage cannot be automatically renewed, AHCCCS will request more information from the member by mail and must receive a response within 30 days. If the request is undeliverable by mail, AHCCCS will make good faith attempts to reach the member before they are disenrolled. Keeping contact information up to date is the best way to avoid losing Medicaid coverage.

Continued coverage options

Medicaid members who are determined no longer eligible will qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to obtain other sources of health insurance. And while most people will have other options, like employer-sponsored insurance, those losing health care coverage in Arizona can also apply for a health insurance plan through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Healthcare Marketplace during the Special Enrollment Period. Thanks to expanded premium tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, many people now qualify for zero-premium plans.

All subsidy-eligible enrollees with incomes up to 150% of the poverty level ($20,385 for individuals or $41,625 for families of four enrolling in 2023) may be eligible for free or nearly-free premium silver plans with very low deductibles. To estimate the tax credits and premiums available, use this subsidy calculator.

Banner|Aetna is offering ACA health insurance plans across Coconino, Cochise, Maricopa, Pinal, Pima and Yuma counties for 2023. Three of these offerings, including those in Maricopa, Pima and Yuma, feature the lowest cost ACA silver plan premiums available. Medicaid members losing health care coverage in Arizona can enroll starting March 31, 2023, via the Marketplace or through a registered broker.