AZ families could be dropped from health care (and don't even know it)
Early in the pandemic, the federal government issued a Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration. This allowed the government access to funding and procedural flexibilities to help control the COVID-19 crisis. One of many such flexibilities was the decision to stop disenrolling people from Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program – known as AHCCCS and KidsCare in Arizona.
As cases continue to drop nationwide, it’s likely that the PHE will expire as soon as this summer, and AHCCCS and KidsCare will return to business as usual.
Over the past two years, youth enrollment in AHCCCS and KidsCare has grown by nearly 100,000 children. As of March 2022, 49% of children in Arizona have health coverage through Medicaid or CHIP. Compared to their uninsured peers, children covered by these programs are more likely to do well in school, graduate from high school, earn more as adults, live longer, and even give birth to healthier infants in the next generation.
In order to stay enrolled, families will need to respond swiftly to requests for information from AHCCCS. By AHCCCS’ own estimation, half a million Arizonans are at risk of losing coverage at the end of the PHE, either because they no longer qualify or because they have been unreachable by mail.
We’re working to get the word out about this change to families throughout Arizona. Will you help us?
We need all hands on deck to keep kids covered.
- Families with coverage through AHCCCS or KidsCare should verify that their contact information is up to date. They can do this by logging into Health-E Arizona Plus or by calling AHCCCS at 1-855-432-7587 or TTY 1-800-842-6520.
- Help with enrolling, re-enrolling, or identifying a new health coverage source is available throughout Arizona. Families can schedule a free appointment with an enrollment assister by calling 2-1-1 or visiting coveraz.org/connector.
- We’ve created social media materials in five languages, as well as talking points for educators and health care providers about the change. Please share widely. Print materials are also available by request.
- If you’re interested in scheduling a presentation on the change and what it means for Arizonans, please email Health Policy Director, Zaida Dedolph Piecoro.
- If you’d like to support this effort, please consider making a monthly gift to CAA. Your support will help us amplify this message.
