Phoenix, AZ—The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is seeking public input on a proposal to institute work reporting requirements as a condition of coverage. State law requires that the agency submit the proposal (known as AHCCCS Works) to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by March 30 of each year. Public comment will be accepted through March 20, 2025.
In 2015, SB1092 was passed into law by the Arizona legislature, requiring AHCCCS to submit the request to CMS. The law requires AHCCCS to ask the federal government for permission to implement work reporting requirements and a 5-year lifetime limit on participation in Medicaid services for certain adults, as well as cost-sharing requirements to discourage non-emergency use of emergency services.
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.
This public comment period is one of many steps that must be taken before AHCCCS Works can be implemented. Public comments will be submitted along with the agency’s submission to CMS. If approved, AHCCCS will share information about future opportunities for public engagement and a timeline for implementation.
On December 19, 2017, AHCCCS submitted a similar request that was eventually approved by CMS in January of 2019. Implementation of that approval, however, was put on hold in October of 2019 due to pending litigation of similar programs in other states. It was further delayed by the Public Health Emergency and was ultimately rescinded by CMS in 2021.
Public comments provide an opportunity for AHCCCS and CMS to receive important feedback about the design and potential impacts of upcoming changes to the Medicaid program. Comments can be emailed to waiverpublicinput@azahcccs.gov, and interested individuals are welcome to attend an upcoming forum hosted by AHCCCS to learn more.
Read the Public Forum flyer and FAQ document for more details.
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.
