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Looking for a previous story? Information previously located on this page has been placed in either the State Legislative Budget Activities pages or the Federal Activities page.

Note: Information provided in PDF files, unless otherwise noted.

Medicaid Coverage

April 30, 2013 new
The Restoring Arizona website, a coalition of business and healthcare groups, has links to videos about the impact of healthcare coverage. Learn more about June and Bill Nelson, a couple that lost their businesses during the recession. Bill is someone who could have been a childless adult. The second video was produced by the Cleveland Clinic and is also featured on the Restoring Arizona website to show the human connection to healthcare.
June and Bill’s story
Human Connection to Healthcare

April 25, 2013
Recently, AHCCCS sought guidance from CMS asking whether the State of Arizona could continue receiving federal funding to maintain coverage for Childless Adults if Arizona extends an enrollment freeze past the scheduled expiration date of December 31, 2013. The answer received today through federal guidance was a clear “No.” This clarification also means that if no action is taken, 63,000 Arizonans will lose their healthcare coverage on January 1, 2014, including an estimated 5,000 cancer patients and 2,000 Arizonans with serious mental illness. In response to today’s federal guidance, Governor Brewer sent a letter to legislative leadership clarifying the options before the State and laying out the clear path forward.
CMS Guidance re ACA Eligibility 4/25/13
Governor Brewer’s Letter to Legislative Leaders 4/25/13

April 16, 2013
In response to a number of requests, AHCCCS is providing updated data on the medical utilization of the Childless Adult population. This data includes utilization from October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011, the last year of complete data prior to the impact of the enrollment freeze. It also includes estimated utilization data for the population enrolled as of April 2013 and projected enrollment as of December 2013.

Without the Governor’s Medicaid Plan, AHCCCS does not have authority to continue coverage for these childless adults remaining as of December 31, 2013, even if they are in the middle of treatment for a medical condition. This means that they will be dropped from AHCCCS beginning January 1, 2014, with no access to any other affordable coverage. Further, childless adults experiencing similar conditions would also not have access to affordable coverage.

Updated Profile (Medical Utilization) of Childless Adults 4/16/13

February 4, 2013
AHCCCS is accepting feedback regarding Governor Brewer’s Medicaid coverage proposal. There are a number of ways to provide comments, including sharing stories, logos, and names. Click on the link below for more information about the proposal, including the how to share and view comments:

Medicaid Coverage

Arizona Withdraws Demonstration Proposal for Dual Eligible Members

April 11, 2013
On April 10, AHCCCS Director Thomas Betlach submitted a letter withdrawing the State’s proposal to participate in the CMS Capitated Financial Alignment Demonstration for members that have AHCCCS and Medicare. Arizona will continue to work with the CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office to improve the system for dual eligible members through the current managed care model.

Arizona Capitated Financial Alignment Demonstration Withdrawal Letter

Acute/CRS RFP Awards Announced 

April 3, 2013
Out of ten bidders, AHCCCS has awarded Acute Care contracts to seven managed care companies that will provide services to over one million Arizonans.

Acute Care and CRS Contract Awards Announcement Updated

January 28, 2013
AHCCCS received proposals from 10 offerors in response to the Acute/CRS RFP for the managed care contract that begins October 1, 2013. Awards will be made on or before March 22, 2013. Offerors that submitted proposals are listed in the link below:

List of RFP Offerors

November 2, 2012
On November 1, 2012, AHCCCS released the Notice of Request For Proposal #YH14-0001 (RFP) soliciting managed care contracts beginning October 1, 2013, for the Acute Care and Children’s Rehabilitative Services (CRS) Programs. Proposals are due on January 28, 2013 and awards will be made on or before March 22, 2013. Additional information, including the RFP, can be found at the link below:

Acute/CRS RFP

City of Phoenix Access to Care Assessment

January 29, 2013
On January 29, 2013, AHCCCS submitted the City of Phoenix Tax Assessment Waiver proposal to CMS following the close of the public comment period. Click on the link below for more information.

December 20, 2012
On December 11, 2012, the City of Phoenix adopted an assessment on designated acute care hospitals so that AHCCCS can draw down additional federal matching funds, subject to CMS approval. AHCCCS will be submitting the DRAFT Waiver proposal for CMS review and approval after a 30 day comment period. More info on this DRAFT waiver proposal, including how to submit public comments, can be found on the link below:

City of Phoenix Assessment

Primary Care Services

February 19, 2013
The web-based Provider attestation form is available. Refer to the PCS Rates page.

November 19, 2012
On November 6, 2012, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published final rules effective January 1, 2013 that set forth the requirements for State Medicaid Agencies mandated by Section 1202 of the ACA. CMS has authorized States until March 31, 2013 to submit their methodologies to CMS for approval. The final rules clarify that approvals of timely State submissions will be retroactive to January 1, 2013. AHCCCS is in the process of developing its methodologies and will issue further guidance in the near future. AHCCCS and its contracted health plans will follow the procedures, processes and policies that are being developed by the federal government. Although these requirements are mandated by the federal government, AHCCCS apologizes for the increased burden this will place on providers and requests that providers be patient as the agency works through the many challenging issues that result from these new requirements. See the link below for more information:

PCS Rates

KidsCare II Re-Opens

October 31, 2012
Beginning November 1, 2012, AHCCCS will reopen enrollment in the KidsCare II program and all applications will be considered for eligibility. Eligibility requirements for KidsCare II will remain the same. Additionally, children on the wait list that was started Sept 7, will automatically be enrolled into the program if they meet the eligibility requirements for KidsCare II and do NOT need to reapply at this time. AHCCCS will continue to consider all applications for KidsCare II until the program reaches maximum enrollment based on available funding. More information about the KidsCare II program is available on the link below or call the toll free hotline (operated by a Community Partnership) at: 1-800-377-3536.
KidsCare II

June 15, 2012
Information about expenditures, funding sources and enrollment in the KidsCare II program is now available on the link below:
KidsCare II Waiver Funding Summary


New ALTCS Member-Directed Option

October 3, 2012
Section 1915 (k) of the Social Security Act allows states to provide community-based attendant supports and services to individuals with disabilities who require an institutional level of care at a 6% enhanced Federal match, so long as certain federal requirements of the program are met. AHCCCS is utilizing this opportunity to adopt a new member-direct option called "Agency with Choice." Agency with Choice is a new member-directed option that will be available to home-based ALTCS members beginning on January 1, 2013. More information and resources, including details about the upcoming informational session, is available at the link below:

ALTCS Member-Directed Options

AHCCCS Director Testifies before U.S. Senate on Duals Demonstration

December 13, 2012
AHCCCS Director Tom Betlach joins the national dialogue on approaches to address longstanding concerns regarding care coordination for individuals enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, also known as “dual eligible.” On December 13, 2012, Director Betlach testified before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee regarding the success of Medicaid managed care for dual eligible members in Arizona and the opportunities to build upon that success through the duals Demonstration project that is being coordinated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). To see more information about the Dual Demonstration, including Director Betlach’s testimony, click on the link below:

Dual Demonstration

Careers With AHCCCS

Tues Feb 14, 2012
AHCCCS is proud of the services it provides to the citizens of Arizona, and recognizes that delivery of these services would not be possible without a highly skilled workforce with a passion for public service. If you want more than just a place to work and you want to join an employee and member-focused organization, we invite you to explore the exciting career opportunities available at AHCCCS. We are looking for talented individuals to join our team. For more information about the agency, the positions available, and the experiences of current employees, click on the link below.

Careers with AHCCCS

Phase Out Activity Monthly Report to CMS

Tues Aug 14, 2012
Beginning July 8, 2011, AHCCCS froze enrollment and stopped screening for the Childless Adult eligibility category. For AHCCCS’ Phase Out Activity Monthly Report to CMS, click on the link below.

Phase Out Activity Monthly Reports to CMS