What This Statute Controls
Arizona's Medicaid program, AHCCCS, operates under a federal Section 1115 waiver. This waiver lets Arizona design its own health plan.
Any changes to the waiver need federal approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This statute adds a state-level check: certain changes also need approval from the Arizona Legislature first.
The administration may not submit to the centers for medicare and medicaid services, or the successor agency, a new amendment proposal for a demonstration waiver under section 1115 of the social security act, or include any new proposed provision in a section 1115 waiver extension, unless the proposed amendment or provision has been authorized by the legislature in the form of a statute.
A.R.S. § 36-3302(A)The rule applies when the waiver would expand eligibility to new groups, add new covered services, or raise yearly use by more than ten percent.
Why This Matters for Long-Term Care Planning
Changes to Arizona's Medicaid waiver affect who qualifies for coverage and what services are available. If the Legislature must approve expansions, the process stays predictable.
This means families planning around ALTCS eligibility can trust that the rules will not shift without a formal vote.
The statute also includes a monitoring rule. If AHCCCS decides a change does not trigger the requirement, it must track use for three years. If use rises by more than ten percent, AHCCCS must tell legislative leaders.
If the Legislature does not authorize the change within one year, AHCCCS must ask CMS to end it.
Groups and Programs Affected
The waiver covers AHCCCS for many groups, including those at or below the federal poverty level. It also affects programs that serve American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
For families dealing with long-term care costs, the stability this statute provides is real. Eligibility rules and covered services are less likely to shift without public review.