Phoenix, AZ — The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) submitted its AHCCCS Works proposal to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on March 30, 2025, as required by Arizona State law (A.R.S § 36-2903.09), and has received next steps from CMS.
On April 10, AHCCCS received confirmation that CMS has completed a preliminary review of the AHCCCS Works amendment-–including nearly 400 public comments gathered by AHCCCS—and has determined it has all of the necessary components to begin a formal review and negotiations.
AHCCCS Works is a community engagement program that applies to specific groups of adults, ages 19 to 55. It requires certain Medicaid participants to engage in at least 20 hours per week of employment or educational activities to remain eligible for coverage. The program helps connect qualifying members to employment, job training, education, and volunteer service experience. Read more about the AHCCCS Works proposal and the categories of adults required to participate in the program.
With this notification from the Federal Government (CMS), the amendment moves to its next phase where the application will be posted on Medicaid.gov and open to the public to send comments to CMS by May 9, 2025: https://1115publiccomments.medicaid.gov/jfe/form/SV_8dBk32jrl7Al4km
Founded in 1982, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is Arizona's Medicaid agency that offers health care programs to serve Arizona residents. Built on a system of competition and choice, AHCCCS operates under an integrated managed care model, through a Research and Demonstration 1115 Waiver. Contracted health plans coordinate and pay for physical and behavioral health care services delivered by more than 100,000 health care providers to more than 2 million Arizonans. www.azahcccs.gov
