How to Change Your AHCCCS (Medicaid) Health Plan in Arizona
AHCCCS is Arizona's Medicaid program. Every AHCCCS member is signed up with one health plan. All plans cover the same basic care. But plans can be different in other ways — like which doctors are in the network, or extra perks. That's why picking the right plan matters.
This guide covers: when you can change plans, how to do it, and what to check first.
Please note: Medicaid rules can change, and this page may not always reflect the very latest updates. For the most current information, or to confirm anything below, contact AHCCCS directly: 📞 (602) 417-7100 (Maricopa County) or 1-800-334-5283 (statewide) 🌐 azahcccs.gov.
Nest Health services are covered by AHCCCS at no additional cost to eligible families. In Arizona, we currently partner with BCBSAZ Health Choice to bring comprehensive medical, behavioral, and social care directly to homes and communities across Maricopa, Mohave, Pinal, Coconino, and Navajo counties.
📞 Think your family may qualify, or has Nest already reached out? Call 866-222-NEST (6378).
Can you change your AHCCCS plan?
Yes — but only at certain times or for certain reasons. You can ask to change if:
✅ It's your Annual Enrollment Choice period (a yearly window based on when you first joined AHCCCS or last renewed)
✅ AHCCCS picked a plan for you because you didn't choose one, and it's still your first 90 days
✅ Your family is split between different plans and you want everyone together
✅ You moved to a new county and your plan isn't offered there
✅ Any other reason — AHCCCS will still look at your request, but your current plan reviews it first. You're approved to switch only if they agree they can't fix the problem themselves.
When does the new plan start?
Not right away. If you switch during your Annual Enrollment Choice period, the next month is a "transition month." During this time, AHCCCS tells both your old and new plan about the change, so they can move your records over.
Until your new plan starts, keep using your current plan for doctor visits and prescriptions.
How to ask for a plan change
Use one of these three ways:
Call AHCCCS Member Services 📞 (602) 417-7100 (Maricopa County) or 1-800-334-5283 (statewide) They can change your plan, help you compare plans, and answer questions
Mail a written request Include:
Your current plan's name
The plan you want instead
Why you want to switch
Send it to: AHCCCS PO Box 25520 Phoenix, AZ 85002
Mailed requests go to your current plan for review. If they approve it, you'll get a letter.
Keep your address up to date. AHCCCS uses it to check which plans are near you, and to send you important mail. Update it anytime at healthearizonaplus.gov, and open all mail from AHCCCS or DES — it may affect your coverage.
What to have ready
Before changing plans, gather the following information:
Your AHCCCS ID number
Your current plan's name
The plan you want to switch to
Your doctors' names
Your medications
Checking this ahead of time helps you avoid gaps in care.
What to check before you switch plans
All AHCCCS plans cover the same basic services. But plans can differ in provider networks, extra benefits, and prescription rules — and which plans you can even pick from depends on your county.
Check your doctors. Before switching:
Look up the new plan's provider list
Call your doctor's office to confirm they take it
Check that your pharmacy is in-network
This matters most if you or your child sees a specialist, or manages an ongoing health condition. You can also call (602) 417-7100 or 1-800-334-5283 and ask them to check for you.
Compare extra benefits. Things like vision, hearing, transportation help, or wellness rewards can differ by plan. Ask each plan what's included.
Check your medications. All plans cover prescriptions, but which drugs are covered — and any approval steps needed — can vary. Confirm your medications are covered before you switch.
Keeping your care during the switch
AHCCCS has rules to help you keep seeing your current doctors while you transition. And if you lose AHCCCS coverage but get approved again within 90 days, you're automatically put back on your old plan — so your care isn't interrupted.
Still, it helps to:
Call your old plan
Call your new plan
Confirm your treatment is still covered
Make sure any specialist approvals carry over
This matters most for pregnancy care, kids seeing specialists, mental health care, or ongoing conditions.
What happens after you switch?
You'll get a letter confirming the change, and your new plan will mail you a member ID card. Give it time to arrive.
Until your new plan starts:
Keep using your old plan's card
Keep your appointments
Keep filling prescriptions
Don't stop any ongoing care
What if you want to switch back?
Unlike some states, AHCCCS doesn't cap you at a set number of switches per year. But each request still has to fit one of the reasons above. So whether you can switch again depends on timing:
If it's still your Annual Enrollment Choice period, you can request another change.
If you have a new qualifying reason — like a move to a different county, or a family split across plans — you can request a change for that reason.
Otherwise, you can still submit a written request explaining why you want to go back. Your current plan will review it, just like any other "for cause" request.
Can you cancel your AHCCCS coverage?
Yes, but this ends all your Medicaid coverage — not just your plan. For most families, switching plans is a better choice than canceling.
If your income or household changes, AHCCCS checks if you still qualify when it's time to renew. If you no longer qualify, you may be able to get coverage through healthcare.gov instead.
Maintaining continuous health coverage is important for preventive care, prescriptions, pediatric visits, and emergency healthcare needs.
One more thing to know
AHCCCS is rolling out new federal rules, including work requirements for some adults, expected by the end of 2026. This won't change how plan switching works. But it makes it even more important to keep your contact info current and open your mail from AHCCCS or DES right away, so you don't miss anything that could affect your coverage.
FAQs
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Call (602) 417-7100 (Maricopa County) or 1-800-334-5283 (statewide), email BeneficiarySupportSpecialist@azahcccs.gov, or mail a request to AHCCCS, PO Box 25520, Phoenix, AZ 85002. There's no online option.
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No. You can switch during your Annual Enrollment Choice period, your first 90 days if a plan was picked for you, if your family is split between plans, or if you moved counties. Other reasons need approval from your current plan.
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The month after your Annual Enrollment Choice period, once both plans are notified.
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There's no set limit on switches, but each one still needs a valid reason — your Annual Enrollment Choice period, a new qualifying reason, or a written request your current plan reviews.
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You lose all Medicaid coverage. Switching plans is usually the better option.
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Yes, all AHCCCS plans cover prescriptions, but rules and approval steps can vary by plan.
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Your doctors accept the new plan
Your medications are covered
Your preferred pharmacies are in-network
The plan includes the extra benefits you want
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In Maricopa and Mohave counties, Nest Health currently partners with Health Choice Arizona. On a different plan? Contact us or your health plan to check if we can still see your family.
Nest Health is here for AHCCCS families
Nest Health brings in-home and virtual care to families in Maricopa, Mohave, Pinal, Coconino, Navajo, and surrounding counties.
Care for the whole family, at home
Virtual visits
Same-day and next-day appointments
24/7 support
Bilingual, Spanish-speaking providers
Serving Maricopa, Mohave counties
We come to you — so you can skip the ER and get care faster.
📞 Think your family may qualify, or has Nest already reached out? Call 866-222-NEST (6378).
Rules and contact details above can change. For the latest AHCCCS plan information, check azahcccs.gov or call (602) 417-7100 / 1-800-334-5283.
