AHCCCS Work Requirements –
At the direction of the Arizona State Legislature and upon CMS approval, AHCCCS is going to implement the following requirements for “able-bodied adults” receiving Medicaid services.
SB 1092 and Arizona’s Section 1115 Waiver Amendment – Requires Able-bodied adults between the ages of 19 and 49 who do not qualify for an exemption will be required to meet the following activities or combination of activities for at least 80 hours per month to qualify for AHCCCS coverage.
New rules will be included that non-disabled adults ages 19-49 who are not enrolled in a federally recognized tribe must: report every month at least 80 hours of work, volunteering, job search, or training, or combination of the above. Or be exempt: pregnant, SSI, medically frail, caretaker, SMI, SUD treatment, full-time student, survivor of domestic violence, homeless, already in a DES work program, aged out of foster care or lose coverage for two months, and be re-enrolled automatically.
How this will work, beginning January 2020, AHCCCS sends an AHCCCS Works orientation packet that explains the AHCCCS Works requirements. In February the 3-month grace period begins. In April the member would receive a reminder notice that he or she must participate in at least 80 hours of community engagement activities per month. If at any time during coverage the member does not complete the 80 hours of community engagement activities per month the member will receive notice that their coverage will be suspended for two months.
This creates new barriers for the eligible. Additional reporting requirements in Medicaid create obstacles for individuals to enroll and stay enrolled. There are estimates that 80% of AHCCCS members already meet the work requirement or fall into an exempted category.
What You Can Do?
- Inform other AHCCCS members about the changes
- Educate members on how to maintain coverage
- Help members navigate the new and complex requirements
- Contact your legislation to let them know how you feel about these changes
