What You Need To Know
Arizona Medical Assistance Program is known as Medicaid overall. This benefit program is aimed at providing eligible people with health coverage. The objective is to safeguard the health of those individuals who cannot do it for themselves. Health coverage is provided to millions of Americans through this program. This includes children, pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities. The low-income individuals are catered to, providing with the necessary medical services and treatments.
In Arizona, this medical assistance is provided through its agency known as Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). It provides hundreds of deserving families in Arizona with the health coverage they need. The benefits enjoyed by qualified individuals include:
- Doctor Visits
- Physical Exams
- Immunizations
- Prenatal care
- Hospital care
- Prescriptions
Are You Eligible?
Medicaid is a federal program which has guidelines that vary in certain terms according to the operating state. Therefore, a criterion has been set up that incorporate the guidelines of both federal requirements and state. Among these, there are basic requirements that the person must be:
- A U.S. national, legal alien or permanent resident
- Characterized to have low-income
- A resident of the state of Arizona
Arizona Medical Assistance Program has been set up for the low-income individuals of the state. Therefore, eligibility is majorly dependent upon the annual household earning. The income before any tax deductions is expected to be either equal to or less than the mentioned amounts:
| Size Of The Household | Maximum Annual Income Level ($) |
| 1 | 16,612 |
| 2 | 22,491 |
| 3 | 28,369 |
| 4 | 34,248 |
| 5 | 40,127 |
| 6 | 46,005 |
| 7 | 51,884 |
| 8 | 57,762 |
The size of the household can be greater than eight. If this is the case, then it is expected that an additional amount of $5,878 is added per extra person. Accurate guidelines can be followed if one stays in touch with the managing agency of their area.
There is also a screening tool available online to check the eligibility of interested individuals. It is not the final application therefore, should not be treated as such. It is simply a tool to determine the potential of receiving the benefits. Therefore, no matter the result of this tool, it is advised that the person applies. Going through the application process is a better determinant of the eligibility rather than just the tool.
How To Apply
Application for the Arizona Medical Assistance Program can be found on online portals. The Health-e-Arizona PLUS is one such example of it. It allows the residents of Arizona to start their application process from the comfort of their homes.
The application form can also be requested from the local community assistors. Their presence can be found through the help of the websites set up. By finding the nearest assistor, you can approach them for the application as well as any assistance required.
Additional information about the application can also be found on the websites set up. This is to make sure that the procedure is a simple one for people. Thus, allowing them to pursue the benefits they feel like they deserve. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System page also has the application form. It can easily be downloaded and filled accordingly.
There is certain information required during the application process. These documents are requested from all individuals. Therefore, whether it is a new applicant or someone who wishes to renew their benefits, they must bring these. The documents are required for the verification of the information given. This means that it confirms the eligibility of the person applying. These pieces of information include:
- Proof of citizenship
- Proof of identity
- Alien Registration cards. This is for the non-U.S. citizens residing in Arizona.
- Social Security numbers
- Birth certificates
- Proof of residence
- Contact information about landlord or neighbor
- Proof of income.
- Proof of employment ending
- Verification of any medical insurance besides AHCCCS
The waiting period is dependent on certain factors. Therefore, the program has outline three possible scenarios along with their durations.
- If the applicant is hospitalized, the waiting period is within seven days of application submission.
- If the applicant is pregnant, this waiting period increases to twenty days from the application submission date.
- The waiting period can go up to 45 days from the application date.
In either of the three cases mentioned, a letter would be sent to the person containing their results. The program has also set up Health-e-Arizona online where you can monitor the status of your application.
For Further Information
The Medicaid & CHIP Policies page has been set up to clarify any confusion a person may have. It has in-depth information about the benefits program. Therefore, it can help the people to determine whether or not they should apply for the program. It also outlines the necessary information required to start the application process.