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KidsCare Initiative

 

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Increasing Kidscare Enrollment

Goal: To increase health care insurance coverage among American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) children in Arizona.  

The Issue: The number of AI/AN children in Arizona who have health care insurance coverage is very low. AI/AN children in Arizona are much more likely to be uninsured than their peers. In fact, over 23% of AI/AN children were uninsured in 2019. 

Many uninsured AI/AN children would be income eligibilty for AHCCCS or KidCare. More than 15,000 uninsured AI/AN children in Arizona live in households that would likely qualify for one of these programs. That means that about 65% of uninsured AI/AN kids could be receiving health coverage through AHCCCS or KidsCare, but are not currently enrolled. 

What is AHCCCS?

AHCCCS is Arizona's version of Medicaid. AHCCCS (pronounced "access") stands for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. AHCCCS covers both adults and children who qualify based on income. 

What is KidsCare?

KidsCare is Arizona's version of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). KidsCare is health insurance for children (under age 19) who qualify based on income. 

Income Requirements/Eligibility: 

Children and adults may be eligible for AHCCCS if they:

  • Live in Arizona 
  • Have or have applied for a social security number*
  • Are a United States citizen or a "qualified immigrant" who has lived in the United States for at least 5 years (this includes members of federally recognized Tribes and Tribal members born in Canada)
  • Live in a household makes less than $2,315 per month for a family of 4. Indian trust income does not count toward household income for Medicaid and CHIP!

Children under age 19 may be eligible for KidsCare if they: 

  • Are an Arizona resident 
  • Have or have applied for a soial security number 
  • Are a U.S. citizen or a "qualified immigrant" who has lived in the United States fir at least 5 years (this includes members of federally recognized Tribes and Tribal members born in Canada)
  • Live in a household that does not more than $4,367 per month for a family of 4. Indian Trust income does not count toward household income for Medicaid and CHIP!
  • Enrolled Tribal members do NOT have to pay for KidsCare coverage. 
  • Enrolled Tribal members who receive care at Indian Health Services (IHS) or Tribal 638 facilities do NOT have a wait period before they can get KidsCare coverage. 

Coverage: 

  • AHCCCS and KidscCare cover the cost of children's health care, whether it is provided at IHS, a Tribal 638 facility, an Urban Indian Health Center, or outside the Tribal Health System. For American Indian tribal members, AHCCCS and KidsCare are available at NO cost. 
  • AHCCCS and KidsCare will pay for your child to see a doctor when they are sick, or for routine care (check-ups, well-visits, sports physicals, immunizations, etc.) It will also cover vision and dental care, as well as speciality doctors and treatments.
  • Applying for health coverage on your own can be difficult, but help is available. Community Health Representatives (CHRs) at Indian Health Services/Tribal 638/ Urban Indian facilities can help people complete an application. The CoverAZ hotline is also available to help people make an appointment to apply for coverage at: 1(800)377-3536 or please visit: https://coveraz.org/

Resources: 

     Data/reports: 

     CoverKids Coalition: 

  • The Cover Kids Coalition is a multi-sectoral partnership of health care providers, community-based organizations, and individuals devoted to improving access to quality, affordable health care for all Arizona children.

    Contact Director of Health Policy, Zaida Dedloph at [email protected].