The Medicaid Income Limit is the most important criteria for deciding whether you qualify for Medicaid in your state. In this post, we are going to explain in detail the Arizona Medicaid Income Limits for 2021. Arizona’s Medicaid program is called the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS.
Based on this information, you will be able to determine whether your income qualifies you for Arizona Medicaid or not.
However, before we get into details about the income limit, we will first explain the Medicaid program in Arizona and how it works.
Next, we will discuss who is eligible for Medicaid, including how eligibility works for various categories, including Children, Pregnant Women, and Adults.
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program for people with a low income.
It provides free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers health coverage to children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but who can’t afford private coverage.
How Many People are on Medicaid?
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as of November 2020, here are the number of people enrolled in Medicaid and Chip in the entire United States:
- 78,521,263 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP
- 72,204,587 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
- 6,695,834 individuals were enrolled in CHIP
Arizona Medicaid
The Arizona Medicaid program provides medical coverage to low-income individuals and families.
As of 2020, the program, along with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covered about 1.9 million people as shown by the image below.
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is Arizona’s Medicaid agency that offers health care programs to serve Arizona residents.
Who Can Get Medicaid in Arizona?
You should apply for Medicaid if your income is low and you match one of the descriptions below:
- You think you are pregnant
- The parent or caretaker of a child and/or teenager under the age of 19.
- You are a child or teenager age 18 or under.
- An adult age 65 or older.
- You are legally blind.
- Living with a disability or disabled.
- You are in need of nursing home care.
Arizona Medicaid Income Limit
The Arizona Medicaid Income Limit is calculated as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Line.
To qualify, you must meet the Arizona Medicaid Income limits listed below.
Here is the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for 2021.
| 2021 Federal Poverty Levels for the 48 Contiguous States & D.C. | |||
| Household Size | Poverty Guideline for 48 states & DC | Alaska | Hawaii |
| 1 | $12,880 | $16,090 | $14,820 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $21,770 | $20,040 |
| 3 | $21,960 | $27,450 | $25,260 |
| 4 | $26,500 | $33,130 | $30,480 |
| 5 | $31,040 | $38,810 | $35,700 |
| 6 | $35,580 | $44,490 | $40,920 |
| 7 | $40,120 | $50,170 | $46,140 |
| 8 | $44,660 | $55,850 | $51,360 |
| Over 8 people | add $4,540 for each additional person | $5,680 | $5,220 |
Additionally, to be eligible for Medicaid, you cannot make more than the income guidelines outlined below:
- Children up to age 1 with family income up to 147 percent of FPL
- Any child age 1-5 with a family income up to 141 percent of FPL
- Children ages 6- 18 with family income up to 133 percent of FPL
- CHIP for children with family income up to 200 percent of FPL
- Pregnant women with family income up to 156 percent of FPL
- Parents of minor children with family income up to 106 percent of FPL
- Individuals who are elderly, blind, and disabled with family income up to 88% of the FPL
- Adults without dependents under Medicaid expansion with income up to 133% of the FPL
Arizona Medicaid Income Limit Charts
The Arizona Medicaid eligibility income limit charts are divided by groups.
For example, the first chart is focused on income limits for children who qualify for Medicaid.
Similarly, the second chart below focuses on the Medicaid income limits for adults in Arizona who qualify for Medicaid.
Arizona Medicaid Income Limit for Children
Below is the income limit for children by age category. Find the age category your child falls into and you will see the income limit by household size.
| Arizona Medicaid Income Limit – Children | ||||||
| Children Medicaid Ages 0-1 | Children Medicaid Ages 1-5 | Children Medicaid Ages 6-18 | Children Separate CHIP | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 147% | 141% | 133% | 200% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $18,934 | $18,161 | $17,130 | $25,760 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $25,607 | $24,562 | $23,169 | $34,840 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $32,281 | $30,964 | $29,207 | $43,920 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $38,955 | $37,365 | $35,245 | $53,000 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $45,629 | $43,766 | $41,283 | $62,080 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $52,303 | $50,168 | $47,321 | $71,160 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $58,976 | $56,569 | $53,360 | $80,240 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $65,650 | $62,971 | $59,398 | $89,320 | |
Next is the income limit for adults by category. Find the category you fall into and you will see the income limit by household size.
Arizona has expanded Medicaid to include adults without dependents.
Therefore, adults without dependents can apply for Medicaid in Arizona.
For an update on the Medicaid expansion debate and timeline in Arizona, see our Arizona Expansion update below.
Arizona Medicaid Income Limit for Adults
| Arizona Medicaid Income Limit – Adults | ||||||
| Pregnant Women Medicaid | Adults (Medicaid) Parent/ Caretaker | Seniors & People w/ Disabilities (Medicaid) | Adults (Medicaid) Expansion to Adults | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 156% | 106% | 100% | 133% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $20,093 | $13,653 | $12,880 | $17,130 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $27,175 | $18,465 | $17,420 | $23,169 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $34,258 | $23,278 | $21,960 | $29,207 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $41,340 | $28,090 | $26,500 | $35,245 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $48,422 | $32,902 | $31,040 | $41,283 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $55,505 | $37,715 | $35,580 | $47,321 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $62,587 | $42,527 | $40,120 | $53,360 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $69,670 | $47,340 | $44,660 | $59,398 | |
How to Read the Arizona Medicaid Income Limits Charts Above
You cannot have an income higher than the Federal Poverty Level percentage described for your group to be eligible for Medicaid.
Similarly, when you identify the income group that applies to you, the income limit you see refers to the maximum level of income you can earn to qualify for benefits.
For example, if you are pregnant, to qualify for Medicaid, you cannot have an income higher than 156% of the Federal Poverty Level – which for a family of two is $27,175 as shown in the chart above.
How to Apply for Arizona Medicaid
There are 3 ways you can apply for Medicaid in Arizona.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the Arizona Health-e-Arizona Plus account (as shown in the image below). If you have an account, you can log in or create your Health-e-Arizona Plus Account. Click here to be taken to the website.
The short video below, from the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), will walk you through the Medicaid Electronic Application process.
We highly encourage you to watch it.
Option 2 – Apply at DES Office Near You
You can apply in person at the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) office near you. Click here to locate a DES office.
Option 3 – Download Arizona Food Stamps Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county DES office or submit it in person.
Additionally, you can call 1-(855) 432-7587 to request a paper application be mailed to you. After receiving and completing the application, turn it in by mail or fax.
Arizona Medicaid Phone Number
Here’s how to contact the Arizona Medicaid Agency:
For Medicaid Applicant & Member Services
Call 1 (855)HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587).
Agents are available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
AZ Relay Service for the hearing impaired – 1-800-842-6520
For all other phone numbers for the Arizona Medicaid Agency, click here.
Arizona Medicaid Expansion Update
The state of Arizona accepted federal funding for Medicaid expansion under the leadership of former Governor Jan Brewer.
As a result of Medicaid expansion, the state’s uninsured rate dropped from 17.1 percent in 2013 to 10 percent in 2016.
As of October 2017, there were 398,519 people enrolled in expanded Medicaid in Arizona, according to state records.
Arizona’s Medicaid program is called the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS.
The program utilizes private insurers that provide managed care services to Medicaid enrollees.
Arizona Medicaid Income Limits Summary
We hope this post on Arizona Medicaid Income Limits was helpful to you.
If you have any questions about Medicaid in the state of Arizona, you can ask us in the comments section below.
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Be sure to check out our other articles about Medicaid.
Income limits for Florida Medicaid
Alabama Medicaid Income Limits and How to Apply
Alaska Medicaid Income Limits and Chart