Good health is important to everyone. If you can’t afford to pay for medical care right now, Medicaid and Medicare can make it possible for you to get the care that you need so that you and your family can stay healthy.
Medicare is the Federal Health Insurance Program for people 65 years of age or older; some people under the age of 65 with disabilities; and some people with End Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
Medicaid is available only to certain low-income individuals and families who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. It is a state administered program and each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services. In Arizona, the Medicaid program is called Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). ALTCS is Arizona’s Long Term Care Plan.
Many types of groups are covered by Medicaid and Medicare. These groups could be broken down by age, whether you are pregnant, disabled, blind, or aged; your income and resources (like bank accounts, real property, or other items that can be sold for cash); and whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant. Even within these groups, though, certain requirements must be met and the rules for counting your income and resources vary. There are special rules for those who live in nursing homes and for disabled children living at home.
The federal agency in charge of Medicare and Medicaid is The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS contracts with and regulates Medicare Health Plans (including Health Choice Generations).
For more information about Medicaid (AHCCCS), please visit their Web site at www.azahcccs.gov or call 602-417-7100 or toll free at 1-800-334-5283.
For more information about Medicare, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users should call 1-877-786-2048. Calls to these numbers are free. Or, you may visit Medicare’s Web site at www.medicare.gov or the CMS Web site at www.cms.gov.
For more information please contact Health Choice Generations Member Services, 8 am – 8 pm, 7 days a week at 1-800-656-8991. TTY users call 711.