A Overview

Revised 09/29/2026

Policy

To qualify for full AHCCCS Medical Assistance (MA) coverage, a noncitizen must declare their noncitizen status and the status my be verified. The customer must be listed as having a noncitizen status that is eligible to get full AHCCCS benefits on the application, and the application must be signed by the customer or other person listed in MA1301A. See the table below to determine if a noncitizen status may qualify for full AHCCCS Medical Assistance.

If the noncitizen is...

Then...

Cuban-Haitian Entrant,
Citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia,
Citizen of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or
Citizen of the Republic of Palau.
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) that meet the conditions in MA524B

The customer would be eligible for full AHCCCS Medical Assistance coverage if all eligibility criteria are met.

Refugee
Asylee
Lawful Permanent Residents who have not met the conditions in MA524B.
Noncitizens paroled in the US for at least one year
Noncitizens granted withholding of deportation
Noncitizens granted conditional entry prior to April 1, 1980
Noncitizens subject to battery or extreme cruelty by their U.S. citizen or LPR relative, including their noncitizen spouse, child(ren), or parent(s)
Noncitizens granted nonimmigrant status as a victim of trafficking (VoT) or who have a pending application that sets forth a prima facie case for eligibility for such immigration status
Noncitizens who are “victim[s] of a severe form of trafficking in persons” and certain family members
Amerasian immigrants
Lawfully residing veterans/active-duty servicemembers and certain family members
American Indians born in Canada or Mexico when they have not gotten another status that would qualify them for full Medical Assistance
Certain Afghan parolees
Certain Ukrainian parolees
Other lawfully residing noncitizens

The customer would be eligible for Federal emergency medical services (FES) if all eligibility criteria are met.

Federal emergency medical services (FES) is not available for the following categories:

AHCCCS Freedom to Work (FTW)
Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)
Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS)
Medicare Savings Program (MSP)
KidsCare
Continued Coverage (CC)
Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA)

Reasonable Opportunity Period

When a customer claims an eligible noncitizen status, but the eligible status cannot be verified, they will have 90 days to provide proof or resolve an issue with USCIS so the status may be verified electronically. If the customer meets all other eligibility requirements MA is approved as a conditional approval.

A child's coverage may be discontinued if they do not provide the required noncitizen status documentation within the reasonable opportunity period. If the status is verified, the child's continuous eligibility period will be effective with the effective date of coverage.

There is no limit on the number of reasonable opportunity periods a customer may receive a conditional approval.

Definitions

Term	Definition
American Indian Born in Canada or Mexico	An American Indian with at least 50% Indian ancestry born in Canada or Mexico. NOTE A person in this group may choose to become an LPR. This does not affect the status as an American Indian born in Canada. The person does NOT need to meet the other conditions in section B.
Foreign Born Member of U.S. Indian Tribe	A member of a federally recognized U.S. Indian Tribe who does not claim U.S. citizenship. NOTE For federally recognized U.S. Indian Tribes see the annual list published in the Federal Register.
Noncitizen	A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States (U.S.).
Parolee	A noncitizen who has received a grant of parole into the United States for a temporary period of time because of urgent humanitarian needs or significant public benefit.
Reasonable Opportunity Period (ROP)	A 90-day period where individuals can provide documentation to verify their citizenship or immigration status if it's not initially verified through electronic means, allowing them to maintain eligibility while the verification is pending.

Proof

For most noncitizen statuses, a SAVE VIS or VLP response showing the noncitizen status is accepted proof. If unable to verify the person’s noncitizen status through the initial SAVE VIS or VLP response, the following documents can be used to resubmit the SAVE or VLP request:

Permanent Resident or Resident Alien Card, I-551;
Alien Registration Receipt Card, I-151;
Departure Record, I-94;
Employment Authorization Card, I-766;
Foreign Passport;
Parole Notice;
Form I-512L, Authorization to Transport for Parole of an Alien Into the United States
Approved Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, Form I-360;
Certificate of Residency or Naturalization for citizens of the Marshall Islands;
Certificate of Residency or Naturalization for citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia;
Certificate of Residency or Naturalization for citizens of the Republic of Palau

Legal Authority

Program

Legal Authorities

All programs

8 USC 1611, 1612, 1613, and 1641

8 USC 1254a(c)

42 CFR 435.406(a)

42 CFR 435.911(c) and 956(b)(2)

42 CFR 435.949 and 956(a)(1)(i)

AAC R9-22-305.4

AAC R9-28-401.01(B)1

AAC R9-29-204.3

AAC R9-31-302(A)

42 CFR 457.320(b)(6)