In the state of Arizona, medical coverage insurance for qualifying low-income families and single people is provided through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Eligibility determination is quick as long as applicants plan ahead, organize, and pay attention to detail.
Instructions
1. Organize your current financial documents as well as all your personal information in preparation for applying for AHCCCS. If you are applying for coverage for your children, you will need Social Security numbers and original birth certificates for each child, as well as for yourself. Financial paperwork includes three months of pay stubs for all employed household members, bank statements, receipt of child support payments incoming or outgoing, disability benefits, and any other type of income. You will also need a letter from your landlord or a copy of your lease, as well as a copy of all monthly utility bills. The AHCCCS website provides eligibility information to help you prepare.
2. Apply for AHCCCS by submitting an application at the Department of Economic Security (DES) or by filling out an online application at the Health-e-Arizona website. If you happen to require food or cash assistance, as well as medical coverage, you can use the same application to apply for everything at once. Once your application for AHCCCS is received, a letter will be sent to you by mail with the time and date of your upcoming caseworker interview. This letter also explains exactly which of your financial and household statements you will need to have on hand in order to complete the interview.
3. Interview with a DES caseworker to complete the process of applying for AHCCCS. This interview may take place over the phone or in person. Since it is the caseworker who ultimately determines your eligibility for AHCCCS, being on time to the appointment and having all the required paperwork is extremely important. In Arizona, it is not uncommon for eligible AHCCCS applicants to have to reapply simply because they didn't follow the directions stated in the interview notification letter. After completing the interview, applicants can expect to receive a determination letter in the mail within three to five days.
Tags: applying AHCCCS, Arizona Health, Arizona Health Care, Care Cost, Care Cost Containment
