How to Apply for Medicaid in Arizona: Your Guide to AHCCCS

As a resident of Arizona if you need help paying for healthcare, Medicaid could be an affordable option available to you. Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is a state and federally funded program that offers free or low-cost coverage for eligible individuals and families.

AHCCCS serves eligible children, adults, seniors, pregnant individuals, and people with disabilities. Medicaid covers long-term care including nursing homes, personal care, and home care.

What Is AHCCCS?

AHCCCS covers a wide range of services and benefits. Some of the benefits you would be eligible for are:  

1. Doctor visits and hospital care: Medicaid in Arizona covers medically necessary visits with primary care doctors and specialists. It could include emergency care, inpatient stays, surgeries, laboratory tests, X-rays, and diagnostics.  

   
   

2. Preventive Care and Screenings: A very important benefit that helps you stay healthy and catch problems early is preventive care. It included annual checkups, vaccinations, blood pressure checks, cancer screenings, and wellness visits. Many preventive services are covered at no cost.

   
   

3. Prescription medications: The cost of medically necessary prescription medicines are covered by Medicaid. Depending on your plan, you could pay little to nothing for your prescriptions.

   
   

4. Mental health and substance use treatment: Fully integrated in Arizona's Medicaid plan is mental health care. You can access counseling, therapy, and psychiatric services. Other services like detox services, substance use treatment are also covered.

   
   

5. Dental and Vision Care: Based on your age and plan, your dental and vision benefits differ. For children, comprehensive dental and vision services are covered. Adults could have limited coverage and could focus on emergency services.

   
   

6. Maternity and Newborn Care: Another crucial benefit is the full coverage that AHCCCS provides for pregnancy related services. Tests and screening like ultrasounds, prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and postpartum care are covered. Automatically, newborns are covered for their early pediatric care, immunizations, and screenings.

   
   

7. Long-term care and home health services: Individuals who need long term care due to age and disability, AHCCCS has care programs. It may include nursing facility, personal care assistance, and support services. Home care programs allow you to hire a family member or a trusted person to care for you and help with daily living activities. This is covered by Medicaid, so it is at no cost to you.  

   
   

Who Can Qualify for Medicaid in Arizona?

As of December 2025, these are the eligibility criteria for AHCCCS that are looked at when you are applying: 

1. Residency and Immigration Status: You must live in Arizona and be a U.S. citizen or a ‘lawfully present’ immigrant.

2. Income Requirements: Income limits to be eligible depend on criteria like disability, pregnancy, age.  

3. Asset/Resource Limits: Other than income, your assets like bank accounts, extra vehicles are counted. Some assets like your home, personal belongings, and a vehicle are not counted.  

4. Special groups: Arizona also offers KidsCare, a low-cost health coverage option for children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Pregnant people and adults under 65 who do not require long-term care/nursing facility level of care are considered under different income and asset limits.   

You can find the most up to date eligibility criteria and limits on the Arizona’s official website for the AHCCCS program.

How to Apply

When applying for Medicaid in Arizona State, you typically need to provide documentation that proves your identity, income, residency, and other assets. You can apply for Medicaid at any time of the year since there is no open enrollment period.  

1. Online

The fastest and convenient way is online through Health-e-Arizona Plus portal. Once you create an account, you will have to provide the following documentations for verification, and you can check your status here once you apply.

You’ll need to create an account and provide:

• Proof of income (pay stubs, tax forms)

• Social Security numbers

• Immigration or citizenship documents

2. Through Your Local Department of Economic Security (DES)

If you prefer to work with a community assister when applying for Medicaid, you can go to your local DES office or community partner site for in-person assistance. You can find the closest locations here: DES Office Locator

They can help you submit forms, provide eligibility guidance, and process more complex Medicaid applications (like long-term care or spend-down programs).

3. By Phone

If you do not have access to a computer or want help from someone to understand the process. Call the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) at 1-855-432-7587 for help applying or to request a paper application.

After You Apply

Once you apply, the Medicaid office takes 45 days to verify and process the documents, and you’ll receive a notice of approval or denial within 45 days (or sooner).

If approved, you’ll get an AHCCCS ID card and may be enrolled in a Managed Care Organization (MCO). However, if denied, you can appeal the decision.

Need Help Applying?

If you have questions, you can also contact us and our team on 833-447-3326 and we will be happy to guide you through the process. Health coverage is always possible, so apply today and take the first step towards taking control of your healthcare.