Assigned to HHS FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to HHS FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
AHCCCS; annual waiver; applicability
Purpose
Exempts American Indians and Alaskan Natives who are eligible for services through Indian Health Services (IHS) or another urban Indian health program from work requirements and lifetime limits instituted by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).
Background
AHCCCS was originally established by the Legislature in 1981 as Arizona’s Medicaid program to provide health insurance coverage for certain low-income individuals and families. AHCCCS uses federal, state, and county funds to provide health care coverage to Arizona's acute and long-term care Medicaid populations.
Laws 2015, Ch. 7 requires the Director of AHCCCS to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services for a Waiver to section 1115 of the Social Security Act to institute a work requirement and place a five-year lifetime limit on services. Currently, the work requirement includes being employed, actively seeking employment or attending a job training program or working at least 20 hours per week. Additionally, AHCCCS is required to confirm changes in family income and impose a one-year ban if requirements are not met. The Waiver provides work requirement exemptions for an individual who is: 1) at least nineteen and attending high school; 2) the sole caregiver of a child under six years of age; 3) receiving long-term disability benefits; or 4) physically or mentally unfit for employment. Additionally, the Waiver exemptions relating to the five-year lifetime limit include an individual who is pregnant, employed full time and who still meets income requirements and is Medicaid eligible.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Exempts American Indians and Alaskan Natives who are eligible for services through IHS or another urban Indian health program from AHCCCS work requirements and lifetime limits.
2. Makes conforming changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
HEALTH 2/01/18 DP 9-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/08/18 DP 58-1-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 9, 2018
CRS/NW/lat