The Basics

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is a public program that helps pay medical expenses for people with low income. How you may qualify depends on your family’s situation, including things like whether you have a disability and how much you have in income.

This article focuses on a way of qualifying that is for adults under the age of 65 who make 138% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) or less (that's $20,783 per year or less for a person who lives on their own) and for children who qualify for KidsCare because their families earn 205% of FPG or less ($63,960 per year for a family of four). DB101 has other articles that discuss how people with disabilities can qualify for AHCCCS and AHCCCS Freedom to Work.

If you qualify, AHCCCS will help pay for your visits to the doctor, hospital stays, prescription drugs, medical equipment, and other medical services. Some people worry that if their income goes up, they’ll lose their AHCCCS. In 2024, if you get AHCCCS and your income goes up, you will have more options that may let you stay with AHCCCS or get help paying for a private health plan.

This article is about AHCCCS and will help you understand:

• If AHCCCS is right for you
• What services it covers
• How much you will have to pay, and
• How to sign up.

If, after reading this article, you need more help in understanding AHCCCS, we recommend you talk to trained experts who can help you. Here are some good resources:

• Visit or call your local DES/Family Assistance Administration office.
• Talk to a Federally Qualified Health Center.
• Get local help from HealthCare.gov.
• If you have a disability, talk to a Work Incentive Consultant to learn more about health programs for people with disabilities.