What You Need to Know-Week of August 15th
The most important weekly updates for you to keep your community healthy
In this Update:
1. COVID-19 Metrics
2. Changes to AHCCCS Enrollment
1. Urgent Updates: COVID-19 Metrics
| In the past week, there has been an average of: | |
| Cases per day | 1,929 |
| Deaths per day | 8 |
| Compared to two weeks ago: | |
| Cases per day | Decreased by 22% ↓ |
| Deaths per day | Decreased by 16% ↓ |
| Hospitalizations per day | Decreased by 15% ↓ |
See breakdown of vaccination by Arizona counties
See updated vaccine information and data in Arizona
2. Changes to AHCCCS Enrollment
Upon the government’s declaration of a public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) suspended disenrollment for most members. This decision allowed most enrollees to continue having healthcare amidst a pandemic. Exceptions to this rule include individuals aged out of KidsCare, and individuals who voluntarily disenrolled or relocated out of the state. The federal government has extended the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for another 90 days, until October 13, 2022. According to AHCCCS, this latest extension is expected to be one of the last. However the department of Health and Human Services will notify the public within 60 days of declaring an end to the Public Health Emergency.
Ending the public health emergency will affect the renewal process for maintaining AHCCCS, making it extremely important to update the following criteria to ensure you don’t experience any gaps in healthcare coverage:
- Update mailing address, phone number, and email address at www.healthearizonaplus.gov, or by calling Health-e-Arizona Plus at 1-855-HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587)
- Monday through Friday, 7:00am – 6:00pm
- Update your contact information, including any changes in housing during the past two years in Health-e-Arizona PLUS.
- If you do not have access to the internet, please call 1-855-HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587) to update your information
- Check your mailbox for any other information and updates regarding any updates to your healthcare status!
The AHCCCS has extensively planned for the end of the PHE by organizing a plan for the Return to Normal Renewals, and has provided more information and answers to frequently asked questions about eligibility and renewal on their website. AHCCCS members wanting more information or help regarding changes to your AHCCCS enrollment are encouraged to contact your health plan, or a community assistor organization.
If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to COVID-19 in Arizona, please complete next week’s AZCOVIDTXT survey that you will receive via text in about a week.