More Than 400,000 Arizonan’s Medicaid Coverage at Risk

Arizona is preparing for major changes to its Medicaid program that could affect more than 400,000 adults enrolled through the state’s Medicaid expansion. The new rules go beyond work requirements. Beginning in 2027, affected Medicaid recipients will have to renew their eligibility every six months versus annually, creating additional administrative requirements for both beneficiaries and AHCCCS. 

Not everyone in the expansion population (418,000) will be subject to new Medicaid work requirements. Exemptions include pregnant and postpartum women, people with disabilities or who are medically frail, parents and caretakers of children younger than 14, certain caregivers, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and people who meet similar requirements through SNAP. 

The changes come as Arizona is dealing with the economic effects of declining SNAP participation. Nearly half of the state’s SNAP participants have lost food assistance since July 2025, according to the Arizona Center for Economic Progress.  AZFamily.com reported on the local strains in April.

According to the Tempe Community Action Agency’s food pantry, demand has more than doubled. Pantry Manager Philip Cornes said the number of different people served through March 2026 was about 16,000 compared to 9,500 last year.

We pick up a route of grocery store donations every single day in order to refresh our inventory with fresh items, frozen meat, produce, stuff like that Otherwise, we would not be able to meet the demand that we do. Folks are definitely worried about where their next meal is going to come from.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) also changes Medicaid eligibility for some immigrants. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Cubans, Haitians and citizens of Compact of Free Association nations remain eligible for federal Medicaid funding, while asylees, refugees, humanitarian parolees, victims of human trafficking and certain abused spouses and children will lose eligibility for full AHCCCS coverage beginning Oct. 1. 

Arizona received $10 million in one-time state funding to implement the Medicaid changes and plans to use additional federal money to hire staff and upgrade technology. AHCCCS has nearly six months to establish two separate eligibility pathways as the requirements change during the first two years.  

For those trying to determine whether changes will affect their coverage, AHCCCS will provide information about the new requirements through: KeepMyAHCCCS.com. Other options include: 

• Chat live at https://chat.healthearizonaplus.gov/. 
• Call 855-220-0903, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Arizona time. 
• Ask a Community Assistor. Go to www.healthearizonaplus.gov, click on Help, then click on Find Someone to Help, then click Find an Assistor. Make sure pop-ups are enabled. 
• Visit your local Arizona Department of Economic Security office. Find the nearest office online at: https://des.az.gov/find-your-local-office.