How AHCCCS Is Planning for the End of the Public Health Emergency

In March 2020, the federal government declared a national “public health emergency” (PHE). With it, AHCCCS was required to suspend disenrollments for most members (unless they moved out of state, aged out of KidsCare, voluntarily disenrolled, or died). Disenrollment suspensions will remain in place until the end of the federal PHE. While AHCCCS expects that the federal government will again extend the existing PHE past the current termination date of April 16, it is unknown for how long it may be extended. The federal government has indicated that it will provide states at least 60 days notice prior to the end of the PHE.

Once the PHE ends, AHCCCS is required to reinstate its standard redetermination processes and disenroll individuals who no longer meet eligibility criteria. If members continue to meet eligibility requirements, their Medicaid coverage will be renewed for another year. Approximately 75 percent of renewals are completed automatically without involvement from the member or a state worker. Members will receive a letter from AHCCCS informing them that their coverage has been continued, ended, or that additional information is needed from them in order to determine eligibility.

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

1. Ensure that their mailing address, phone number, and email address on file is correct in www.healthearizonaplus.gov, or by calling Health-e-Arizona Plus at 1-855-HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587), Monday through Friday 7:00 am - 6:00 pm.
2. Check their mailbox for a letter from AHCCCS about renewal of coverage.
3. Respond to any requests from AHCCCS for more information so the agency can accurately determine eligibility.

For more help, members may contact their health plan or a community assistor organization. There are over 200 community assistor organizations across the state who can help individuals navigate the Medicaid or CHIP (the Children's Health Insurance Program, called KidsCare in Arizona) renewal process. Health plan member services departments can assist as well. AHCCCS members can find the number for their health plan’s members services department on their member ID card or on the AHCCCS Available Health Plans web page.

After the end of the PHE, individuals who no longer qualify for AHCCCS may have other health care coverage options such as coverage through the Health Care Marketplace. More information about the Marketplace can be obtained at HealthCare.gov or by calling the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). Children who no longer qualify for Medicaid may be eligible for KidsCare.