The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) has submitted a formal waiver amendment request seeking the authority to limit retroactive coverage for new AHCCCS members to the month of application.
With this request, AHCCCS seeks a waiver from the requirement to provide prior quarter coverage in order to limit coverage to the same month in which a new member applies for Medicaid. This change is consistent with Arizona’s historical waiver authority prior to January 2014. The objectives of Arizona’s waiver are to (1) encourage members to obtain and maintain health coverage, even when healthy; (2) encourage members to apply for Medicaid promptly to promote continuity of eligibility and enrollment for improved health status; and (3) contain Medicaid costs.
Consistent with federal public notice requirements, AHCCCS solicited feedback from stakeholders at public forum meetings held in Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson and at the Tribal Consultation held in Phoenix on January 11, 2018. In addition, the Agency reviewed and considered all comments received in writing by February, 25, 2018.
Read the Prior Quarter waiver request and all related documents.
