A General Information About FTW Premiums

 

 

Revised 01/27/2026

Policy

A FTW premium is calculated for all customers who qualify for:

 

The FTW premium amount is based on the customer’s net countable monthly earned income:

From

To

Premium

$0.00

$500.00

$0

$500.01

$750.00

$10

$750.01

$1,000.00

$15

$1,000.01

$1,250.00

$20

$1,250.01

$1,500.00

$25

$1,500.01

$1,750.00

$30

$1,750.01

The FTW income limit (250% FPL)

$35

 

Exception:

American Indian and Alaska Native customers, as well as the children and grandchildren of tribal members, are not charged a premium when they prove their tribal enrollment (or that of their parent/grandparent).

 

1) Proof of Tribal Enrollment

American Indians and Alaska Natives who qualify for FTW must provide proof of tribal enrollment to be exempt from monthly premium charges. Proof of enrollment or tribal membership includes:

 

Documents with the person’s name that show affiliation with a federally recognized Indian Tribe:

 

Documents from the list above for the enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe, plus proof of relationship to the enrolled tribal member for the family members listed below:

 

When a person claiming to be an American Indian, Alaska Native, or the child/grandchild of a tribal member does not provide proof of tribal enrollment, the premium exemption does not apply and a premium may be charged.

NOTE     Do not deny eligibility because there is no proof of tribal enrollment.


When a person is approved with a premium and later provides proof of tribal enrollment, the person is exempt from paying the premium beginning the month after the proof is provided.

Proof of Tribal Enrollment should be uploaded to HEAplus when it is found in Onbase. If there is an indication from case notes that this proof exists in an electronic format or an agency’s database and may be accessible to eligibility staff, check with your supervisor before asking the customer for proof.

 

2)  When Do Premiums Begin?

Premiums begin with the month following the month in which the approval is dispositioned.

Premium Examples

 

3) Informing Customers of the Premium Amount

An approval notice or change notice is used to:

 

Definitions

Term

Definition

Freedom to Work (FTW) Premium

An AHCCCS FTW premium is calculated for all customers who qualify for:

  • AHCCCS Medical Services under an AHCCCS FTW coverage group; or

  • AHCCCS FTW – ALTCS HCBS services.

Freedom to Work (FTW) Program

The FTW program is for people with disabilities who are working.

There are two FTW coverage groups:

  • The Basic Coverage Group; and

  • The Medically Improved Group.

 

Legal Authority

Program

Legal Authorities

AHCCCS FTW

FTW-ALTCS HCBS

42 USC 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XV) and 42 USC 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVI)

ARS 36-2929 and ARS 36-2950

AAC R9-22-1909