In accordance with federal legislation, AHCCCS returned to its regular renewal process on April 1, 2023 and will verify eligibility for all enrolled AHCCCS and KidsCare members by March 2024. Members will be notified prior to their month of renewal. The federal public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023.

Preparing for the End of COVID-19: Return to Regular Renewals

Regular Medicaid Renewals Began April 1, 2023

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, AHCCCS had not disenrolled most AHCCCS members, regardless of eligibility.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) enacted in December 2022 required AHCCCS to reinstate the regular renewal process for all Medicaid and KidsCare members. This means that as of April 1, 2023, AHCCCS began disenrolling members who no longer meet eligibility criteria.

We’re working with community partners, advocates, and members to make sure eligible members remain covered, and that those who are no longer eligible are referred to sources for other health care coverage options.

To ensure that members do not experience any gap in health care coverage, AHCCCS asks all members to:

  1. Make sure your mailing address, phone number, and email address on file is correct. Login or use the live chat at www.healthearizonaplus.gov. Or call Health-e-Arizona Plus at 1-855-HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587), Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Review the Updating Your Contact Information flier English / Spanish to learn how to update your contact information in Health-e-Arizona PLUS.

    ALTCS members need to call 1-888-621-6880 to update their contact information or to get help with renewals.

  2. Sign up for text or email alerts from AHCCCS. Learn how in this flier!
  3. Check their mailbox for a letter from AHCCCS about renewal of coverage.
  4. Respond to any requests from AHCCCS for more information so the agency can accurately determine eligibility.

Need more help?

Contact your health plan or a community assistor organization to help you with AHCCCS or KidsCare renewals. Find the number for your health plan’s members services department on your member ID card or on the AHCCCS Available Health Plans web page.

Approximately 75% of eligibility determinations are able to be completed automatically and members will not need to take any action. If their eligibility is continued, then they will remain enrolled and will receive a summary letter that says, “If the information on the summary is correct, you do not need to do anything. You do not need to call or contact AHCCCS.”

Individuals who no longer qualify for AHCCCS or KidsCare may have other health care coverage options through the HealthCare Marketplace. See HealthCare.gov or call 2-1-1 for help.

Resources for Communities

COVID-19 Renewal Data

AHCCCS will publish a data dashboard of monthly renewal progress on this web page beginning May 10, and on the 10th of each subsequent month.

Member Communications

  • Member Renewal Information Letter English / Spanish
    • This letter will be sent to members who need to respond to a renewal request via mail or text message.
  • Sample Member Discontinuance Letter English
    • This is a sample of the discontinuance letter sent to members who have been determined to no longer qualify for Medical Assistance. It includes referral information to other coverage options, and notification of a 90-day window to complete renewal if discontinued for not responding.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. WHAT IS THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT MEMBERS?
    At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a public health emergency (PHE). During the PHE, Medicaid agencies have not disenrolled most members, even if someone's eligibility changed.
    As of Dec. 29, 2022, the PHE is no longer tied to the Medicaid continuous enrollment requirement.

  2. WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW THAT RENEWALS HAVE STARTED?
    • When your renewal is due, AHCCCS will attempt to determine your eligibility automatically. If we are able to automatically determine your eligibility, you’ll get a letter from AHCCCS with the decision (either continued or discontinued). The letter will say, “If the information on the summary is correct, you do not need to do anything. You do not need to call or contact AHCCCS.”
    • If your eligibility cannot be automatically determined, you will receive a written request from AHCCCS that more information is needed. You must respond within 30 days.
    • AHCCCS cannot disenroll a member whose mail is returned undeliverable until making other good-faith attempts to contact the member.
    • Members who are no longer eligible for Medicaid will be referred to the Healthcare Marketplace and other sources for coverage options. See www.healthcare.gov or find more help at www.coveraz.org.

  3. WHAT CAN MEMBERS DO TODAY TO PREPARE FOR RENEWAL?
    Members can do four things:
    • Make sure your mailing address, phone number, and email address is correct. Login to www.healthearizonaplus.gov, or call Health-e-Arizona Plus at 1-855-HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587), Monday through Friday 7:00 am - 6:00 pm.
    • Check your mailbox for a letter from AHCCCS about renewal of coverage. Your letter will either inform you of your eligibility status and tell you no response is needed, or ask for additional information. The envelope will look like this:
      Renewal Envelope
    • Respond to any requests from AHCCCS for more information so the agency can accurately determine your eligibility.
    • Sign up for texts or emails from AHCCCS about your renewal. Login to (or create) your Health-e-Arizona Plus account. Go to “Message Center” on the toolbar. Click on “Manage My Alerts and Letters.” Choose the preferred letter and alert options. You may choose email, text, or both.

  4. DO CHILDREN/YOUTH IN STATE FOSTER CARE NEED TO UPDATE THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION IN HEAPLUS TOO?
    No, AHCCCS and the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) will update all information for members in foster care.

  5. WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY RENEWAL?
    Renewal dates are often based on the month when you first enrolled. However, an individual’s renewal date may change as we align renewal dates for household members or with Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) renewal dates. Login to www.healthearizonaplus.gov to check your renewal status.

  6. CAN MY HOUSEHOLD RENEW AT THE SAME TIME, OR WILL WE RECEIVE SEPARATE RENEWAL LETTERS?
    When possible, AHCCCS is aligning households by the Medical Assistance (MA) date for Medicaid and KidsCare annual renewal. For families who receive Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits, the SNAP and MA renewal dates may be aligned.

  7. CAN I CONTINUE WITH THE SAME HEALTH PLAN WHEN I RENEW?
    In most cases, yes, unless you have moved and your current health plan is not available in your new location. Also, if you are disenrolled and then you re-enroll within 90 days, you will be assigned to your previous health plan.

  8. IF AHCCCS DETERMINES A MEMBER IS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID or KIDSCARE, WHAT HAPPENS?
    If AHCCCS determines that you no longer qualify for Medicaid, you will receive:
    • Notice of when your enrollment will end,
    • Information on how to appeal that decision if you believe the disenrollment was in error, and
    • Information about other health care coverage options available from Healthcare.gov.
  9. IF I AM NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID OR KIDSCARE, WHERE CAN I FIND HEALTH CARE COVERAGE?
    • Find health insurance options at www.healthcare.gov.
    • Visit 2-1-1 or www.211.org for help.
    • Veterans can find more health care resources at www.beconnectedaz.org.
  10. ARE TRIBAL MEMBERS AND MEMBERS IN THE AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTH PROGRAM (AIHP) OR FEE FOR SERVICE PROGRAMS ALSO GOING TO BE RENEWED?
    Yes, AIHP and Fee-for-Service members, including Federal Emergency Services enrollees, are included in the renewal process.
  11. WHAT IS AHCCCS DOING TO REACH MEMBERS WHO MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET OR THOSE IN RURAL AREAS?
    AHCCCS is working with its partners across the state to reach members in rural areas, those without internet access, and those experiencing homelessness. AHCCCS has conducted several outreach campaigns that included letters by mail, phone calls, and text messages.
  12. I TURNED 65 AFTER FEBRUARY 2020 BUT DID NOT SIGN UP FOR MEDICARE OR MEDICARE PART D PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE AT THAT TIME BECAUSE I HAD AHCCCS COVERAGE. WHAT DO I DO?
    • Contact the Social Security Administration to begin your application for Medicare. Your Medicare or Medicare Part D coverage will become effective only at certain times of the year, depending on when you apply.
    • If you did not sign up for Medicare or Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage when you turned 65, you may be required to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for your monthly premiums. Contact the Social Security Administration Medicare or Medicare (www.Medicare.gov) or (1-800-MEDICARE) with questions.
    • Depending on your situation, you may be eligible to participate in the Medicare Savings Program for some of your Medicare costs. During their renewal period, AHCCCS will help members determine whether they qualify for other AHCCCS programs.
    • For more help with Medicare questions contact the Arizona State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-800-432-4040 or des.az.gov/services/older-adults/medicare-assistance.
  13. I’M AN ALTCS MEMBER. HOW DO I UPDATE MY ADDRESS AND GET HELP WITH MY RENEWAL?
    • ALTCS members need to call the ALTCS Customer Service number, 888-621-6880, to change their contact information or to get help with their renewal.
  14. DO I NEED TO PAY MONEY TO RENEW MY AHCCCS COVERAGE?
    • AHCCCS will never ask you to pay money to renew your AHCCCS or KidsCare coverage. We are aware of text and email scams being sent to Medicaid members, asking them to pay money to renew their coverage. This is fraudulent activity. AHCCCS does contact members by text and email, but we do NOT ask for money. Please be careful when responding to texts and emails, and make sure the message is from AHCCCS. Check your renewal status by logging into www.healthearizonaplus.gov.
      • If you receive an email or text asking you to pay money to renew your health care coverage, please report this fraudulent activity to AHCCCS at 602-417-4193 or online at the Report Fraud web page.
  15. IF I MISS MY RENEWAL DEADLINE, SHOULD I RE-APPLY FOR AHCCCS?
    • If you lose AHCCCS coverage because you did not complete your renewal you have 90 days after your end date to respond. If you still qualify, your coverage will be renewed. You DON’T need to submit a new application. Log in to your www.healthearizonaplus.gov account to upload documents or check your renewal status.