How to Change a Health Plan

Members can ask to change their health plan by calling AHCCCS at (602) 417-7100 or 1-800-334-5283. You can ask for a change if:

  • It is the annual enrollment period.
  • You were assigned to a plan because you did not choose one and are still within your first 90 days.
  • Your family is split between different health plans and you want everyone in the same plan.
  • You moved to a county where your current plan is not offered.

Members can request for a Health Plan change by contacting AHCCCS at (602) 417-7100 or 1-800-334-5283 for the following reasons:

  • During annual enrollment period,
  • When auto-assigned to a plan and it is within the first 90 days of enrollment,
  • Family members are in different health plans and wish to all be in the same plan, or
  • Member moves to a county where their current plan is not available.
  • If you need help choosing a health plan or want to know if a doctor accepts your current health plan, you may speak to a Beneficiary Support Specialist by calling (602) 417-7100 or 1-800-334-5283.

A member can ask to change their health plan for other reasons too, but their current health plan has to review and approve the request.

Members should contact their health plan if they have any of the issues below. This list does not include every possible concern.

  • Problems with the quality of care
  • Trouble getting help from case management
  • Transportation problems
  • Wanting a different doctor or provider
  • A doctor or provider recommending a plan change
  • Long wait times for appointments or services
  • Needs related to keeping care consistent

If the member’s issue cannot be fixed by their health plan, the member will get a letter explaining that the plan cannot resolve the issue. If the member’s concern can be handled by another health plan, the member will get a letter saying they are approved to change plans.

Requests should be sent to the member’s health plan. A member can also turn in a written request, and it will be forwarded to their current health plan.

Your written request must include:

  • The name of the health plan you are in now
  • The name of the health plan you want to switch to
  • A clear and detailed reason why you want to change health plans

You can mail your written request to:

AHCCCS
PO Box 25520
Phoenix, AZ 85002

If you need help changing your health plan, you can call a Beneficiary Support Specialist at (602) 417-7100 or 1-800-334-5283. You can also email your question and contact information to BeneficiarySupportSpecialist@azahcccs.gov.

The Annual Enrollment Choice period is held annually based on the program or category you were approved for and your most recent renewal or enrollment date.

You will be notified by mail that you are in the timeframe to select a new health plan. If you want to keep your current health plan, no action is required.

If you did not choose a health plan, one was chosen for you. You will get a Freedom of Choice letter that tells you which plan you were enrolled with. If you would like a different health plan, you have 90 days from the date on the letter to make the change.

Continuity of care applies to the treatment of life-threatening medical conditions, or the third trimester of pregnancy allowing the customer to keep seeing their doctor after changing health plans to allow for ongoing treatment even if that doctor is not in the health plan’s network or leaves the network.

Continuity of care applies when the customer changes health plans within AHCCCS, or AHCCCS coverage ends and the customer is reapproved. Customers who lose AHCCCS coverage and are reapproved within 90 days are enrolled in the same health plan as they previously had.

Members must report changes of address to AHCCCS. When you move to a different county, the health plans available to you may change. AHCCCS uses your new address to see which plans are offered in your area and whether your current plan still covers where you live.

If you are already enrolled in a health plan, you can request to change health plans if:

  • It is your annual re-enrollment date, (once per year),
  • You are within your first 90 days of AHCCCS enrollment and wish to change your auto-assignment,
    • You can change your health plan up to 90 days after enrollment through the HEAplus system
  • Your family members are in different health plans, and you wish to all be in the same plan, or
  • You move to a location where your current plan is not available.

If you need help changing your health plan, you can call a Beneficiary Support Specialist at (602) 417-7100 or 1-800-334-5283. You can also email your question and contact information to BeneficiarySupportSpecialist@azahcccs.gov.

Available Health Plans are based on the county you live in and the AHCCCS program you were approved for.

If you need to find a doctor, or have questions, contact information for the health plans can be found on the Available Health Plans page.

How do I choose a health plan?

  • The county in which you live determines what AHCCCS health plan choices are available to you.
  • You can look at Available Health Plans on the AHCCCS website.
  • Each plan has its own doctors, hospitals, and clinics.
  • Choose a plan that includes the doctors or clinics you want.

Customers that need help choosing a health plan may:

If you have been enrolled in an AHCCCS health plan within the past 90 days, you will be enrolled with your previous health plan.

If you or anyone in your family is an American Indian or Alaska Native, see Available Health Plans.