If you are a resident of Arizona and need to change your AHCCCS insurance, you can do so by contacting the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) or by using the Health-e-Arizona Plus (HEAplus) application. You can apply for AHCCCS Medical Assistance, Nutrition Assistance, and Cash Assistance through the HEAplus application. If you need assistance with the application process, you can contact the AHCCCS office or seek help from Community Assistors, who can guide you through the entire process and help you understand eligibility rules. It is important to note that there are no fees for applying for medical assistance, and once eligible, you will receive an AHCCCS ID Card with health plan information. Additionally, if you have recently lost your health coverage or had changes in your employment or income, you may be eligible for AHCCCS health insurance and financial assistance benefits.
What You'll Learn
Applying for AHCCCS health insurance
Online
You can apply online using Health-e-Arizona Plus (HEAplus). This is available in both English and Spanish.
Over the phone
You can apply over the phone by calling 1-855-HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587).
In-person
To apply for Long Term Care, you must call or visit an Arizona Long Term Care office.
Certified bilingual assister
If you need help with applying, you can call 1-800-377-3536 to get connected with a certified bilingual assister or make an appointment online.
Community Assistors
You can also get help from Community Assistors, who can be found in your ZIP Code on the Get Help screen of Health-e-Arizona Plus. Many SNAP Community Partners are also Community Assistors. 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.
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Eligibility for AHCCCS health insurance
To be eligible for AHCCCS health insurance, individuals must meet certain income and other requirements. AHCCCS offers health insurance for adults age 19 to 64, who do not qualify for AHCCCS Medical Assistance (MA) in any of the following programs: SSI-MAO (age 65 or older; blind or have a disability) and Young Adult Transitional Insurance (YATI).
For those who qualify, there are no monthly premiums. To qualify for this program, the applicant must:
- Be an Arizona resident
- Not qualify for Medicare
- Be a United States citizen or a qualified immigrant
- Have a Social Security number or apply for one
- Apply for potential income that may be available, such as unemployment, pensions, and Social Security
- When the individual is the primary caretaker of a child, the child must have insurance coverage
- Be under the income limit
- Not be eligible for any other group
AHCCCS also offers health insurance for adult relatives who are living with and caring for a child under 19 years old and who meet income and eligibility requirements. For those who qualify, there are no monthly premiums. To qualify for this program, the applicant must:
- Be an Arizona resident
- Be a United States citizen or a qualified immigrant (if the person is not a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant, they may still be eligible for emergency services)
- Have a Social Security number or apply for one
- Cooperate with the Division of Child Support Services if needed
- Apply for potential income that may be available, such as unemployment, pensions, and Social Security
- Have family income under the income limits described below
If your monthly income is higher than the limit, you may be eligible for the new adult category.
Additionally, if you have had recent changes to your employment or income, you may be eligible for AHCCCS (Medicaid) health insurance and financial assistance benefits.
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Reporting changes to your AHCCCS insurance
If you need to report a change in your household, including a change of address, income, or a household member's job, you must contact the eligibility source where you applied for AHCCCS.
DES
You can contact DES by visiting their website at www.healthearizonaplus.gov or by calling 1(855)HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587).
KidsCare
You can contact KidsCare by visiting their website at www.healthearizonaplus.gov or by calling 1(855)HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587).
SSI MAO
You can contact SSI MAO by calling 602-417-5010 or 1-800-528-0142 if you are outside Maricopa County.
Social Security Administration
You can contact the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA)
If you are waiting for your application to be processed or you are not eligible for AHCCCS medical assistance, you may qualify to receive drug, alcohol, and mental health treatment services through other funding sources administered by the RBHA. You can contact the RBHA in your area using the following phone numbers:
- Central Arizona: 800-564-5465
- Northern Arizona: 800-322-8670
- Southern Arizona: 866-495-6738
Arizona Long Term Care (ALTCS)
To apply for Long Term Care, you must call or visit an Arizona Long Term Care office.
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Available health plans under AHCCCS
Arizona's Medicaid agency, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), offers health care programs to serve Arizona residents. AHCCCS provides medical insurance coverage to thousands of Arizonans each year, helping individuals cover the cost of doctor's office visits, physical exams, immunizations, prenatal care, hospital care, and prescriptions.
AHCCCS contracts with several health plans to provide covered services. An AHCCCS health plan works like a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). The health plan works with doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and specialists to provide care.
Available Health Plans
AHCCCS health plans provide the following medical services:
- Immunizations (shots)
- Prescriptions (not covered if you have Medicare)
- Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Services for Medicaid-eligible children under 21
- Transportation to the doctor
- Podiatry services performed by a podiatrist
- Chiropractic services
- Family planning services
- Glasses, including replacements (for children under 21)
- Vision exams (for children under 21)
- Dental screening and treatment (for children under 21)
- Emergency dental services (for adults 21 and older, up to $1,000 per contract year)
- Hearing exams and hearing aids (for children under 21)
Covered behavioral health services include:
- Behavioral health day programs, crisis services, inpatient services, and rehabilitation services
- Health promotion and prevention, education, and medication training
- Residential behavioral health services, including 24/7 support services
- Treatment services, including counseling, consultation, assessment, and specialized testing
Enrollment
If your application for AHCCCS is approved, you can choose which AHCCCS health plan you would like to cover your benefits. If you do not select one, AHCCCS will choose one for you. If you are dissatisfied with the chosen plan, you will have 90 days to switch to another.
AHCCCS members may enroll in any health plan that serves their county. Before choosing a health plan, check with your doctor, pharmacy, or hospital to see if they are contracted with your health plan of choice.
American Indian members may choose to use the American Indian Health Program or enroll in an AHCCCS Complete Care health plan.
Using Health-e-Arizona Plus to apply or report changes
Health-e-Arizona Plus is an online application for Arizona residents. It is offered in both English and Spanish. You can use Health-e-Arizona Plus to apply for AHCCCS Health Insurance, Nutrition Assistance, and Cash Assistance. You can also use it to renew your benefits online.
Health-e-Arizona Plus can be used even if you have applied before or are currently receiving benefits. With Health-e-Arizona Plus, you can:
- Complete and submit the Health-e-Arizona Plus application for AHCCCS Health Insurance, Nutrition Assistance, and Cash Assistance
- View and confirm receipt of your application online
- Fax your verification documents, and view and confirm your verification documents online
- Renew your benefits online
If you would like help completing the online application, you may contact one of the community partners. Going to a community partner will help minimize the time spent at the DES local office. Also, many community partners offer other services that help people with little or no income. Visit the Arizona Community Action Find Help page to find out where you can find help near your home.
To contact the Customer Care Center for Health-e-Arizona Plus, call (855) HEA-PLUS or (855) 432-7587. The hours of availability are Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time, excluding state holidays). This number can also be used to request a password reset or username retrieval.
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Frequently asked questions
You can apply online for AHCCCS Medical Assistance, Nutrition Assistance, and Cash Assistance using Health-e-Arizona Plus (HEAplus). You can also contact Community Assistors, who can help you complete and submit your application.
You can contact Community Assistors, who will help you complete and submit your application and understand eligibility rules. You can find a Community Assistor in your ZIP Code on the Get Help screen of Health-e-Arizona Plus.
There are no fees for applying for medical assistance. However, some medical assistance programs may require the participant to make a co-payment when receiving medical services.
When families are eligible for AHCCCS Health Insurance and an increase in their earnings causes them to no longer be eligible, they may still be eligible under Transitional Medical Assistance. Do not voluntarily withdraw from AHCCCS Health Insurance just because your earnings increase.