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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
children's health insurance program; redetermination
Purpose
Requires the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to allow an eligible member of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to remain eligible for 12 months after eligibility is determined.
Background
CHIP is a federal program administered by each state to provide health insurance coverage to eligible individuals. Arizona’s CHIP is administered by AHCCCS. A person who is enrolled in CHIP and under 19 years old and whose gross household income is below 200 percent of the federal poverty level is eligible for CHIP (A.R.S. § 36-2981). AHCCCS must perform eligibility determinations and annual eligibility redeterminations (A.R.S. § 36-2982).
Federal law allows each state to provide continuous eligibility to CHIP
members for up to 12 months after eligibility is determined or until the member
turns 19 years old (42 U.S.C.
§ 1396).
CHIP is funded by federal block grants and state matching monies. If extending eligibility for members by 12 months results in an increase of state matching monies, there may be a fiscal impact to the state General Fund.
Provisions
1. Requires AHCCCS, subject to the approval of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS), to allow an eligible member to remain eligible for benefits for a period of 12 months, unless the eligible member turns 19 years old during the extended period.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Stipulates that the redetermination for an eligible member is subject to CMS approval.
House Action
APPROP 2/2/22 DP 10-2-1-0 APPROP 3/15/22 DPA 8-0-2
3rd Read 2/23/22 44-15-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 16, 2022
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