Common Pitfalls

In the past, some people found it impossible to find health coverage that was affordable and met their needs. Now, there should be an option for almost everybody, regardless of whether you have a disability. The exact health coverage that will be right for you will depend on things like your family’s income, whether you have access to employer-sponsored coverage, your age, where you live, and whether you have a disability.

If you do not have the option of employer-sponsored coverage, you may be able to get government help to pay for an individual plan on HealthCare.gov. If you cannot afford private individual coverage, your best options will be public programs, like AHCCCS or Medicare, if you qualify.

Note: It is very important to have health coverage, but starting in 2019 there is no tax penalty if you don't have coverage.

AHCCCS used to be mainly for people with disabilities, seniors, children, and pregnant women. Starting in 2014, it is for anybody with low income (at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), $20,783 for an individual in 2024 ($43,056 for a family of four). No matter how much money you have in the bank or what your health situation is, you could qualify.

It is easy to check if you can get AHCCCS: just go to Health-e-Arizona and fill out an application. They’ll let you know whether you qualify and help you sign up.

If you can’t get AHCCCS, you can get health coverage through your employer or through HealthCare.gov, depending on your situation.

In the past, people feared that if they got a job while they were on AHCCCS, they’d lose their AHCCCS, because they would no longer have low enough income to qualify.

Starting in 2014, if you lose one health coverage option, there will be another one you can get. If you lose your AHCCCS coverage, you will either become eligible for employer-sponsored coverage or private individual coverage. And, if you can’t afford the individual coverage, the government may help you pay for it.

The bottom line: There is a coverage option for everybody. Do not worry that getting a job will leave you without health coverage.