AHCCCS received permission from CMS this week to expand Kids Care eligibility to 225% of the federal poverty level. The earlier eligibility cap had been 200%.
The initiative was funded in last year’s state budget (and last year’s SB1726) but AHCCCS still needed to ask permission from CMS to do the eligibility expansion.
Prior to sending this 1115 Waiver Amendment Request, AHCCCS sought CMS approval to expand KidsCare eligibility to 225% of FPL through a State Plan Amendment, but CMS said they needed to do an “1115 Waiver” instead. With the waiver now approved, AHCCCS is free to begin expanding eligibility.
Kids Care will now make it so kids whose parents make too much to qualify for Medicaid (more than 138% of poverty) but less than 225% of poverty can pay an affordable premium for quality Medicaid (AHCCCS) coverage.
Monthly premiums range from $10/month for families making between 138-150% of poverty to $50/mo for one kid and $70/month for more than one kid. KidsCare – Arizona’s Children’s Health Insurance Program
Gov. Katie Hobbs: Changes to Arizona Medicaid program will help families (azcentral.com)
