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Mercy Care DCS Comprehensive Health Plan

Mercy Care DCS CHP

Mercy Care DCS Comprehensive Health Plan (Mercy Care DCS CHP) is a statewide health plan that is designed to meet the medical, dental and behavioral health needs of children and youth in out-of-home care. Mercy Care DCS CHP replaced the Comprehensive Medical and Dental Plan (CMDP) in April 2021.

Mercy Care DCS CHP provides a full range of health services including:

A Medical Home for each child to oversee care.
Speedy enrollment for immediate health care benefits.
Coordination of physical and behavioral healthcare.
Clinical case management to address complex medical and behavioral healthcare needs.
Preventive care through EPSDT (well-child checks).
Access to healthcare through a network of providers (doctors, nurses, hospitals, clinics, psychiatrists, therapists, pharmacies, etc.)
Health Passport to make more health history and health information available to DCS caseworkers, caregivers, doctors, and other healthcare providers.
24-hour medical advice line (Nurse Line)
Network of healthcare providers and specialists trained in trauma-informed services and therapy.

Members and Caregivers

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Nurse Line

The nurse line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer general medical questions. Call Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Services at 1-602-212-4983 or 1-833-711-0776 (TTY/TDD 711), and select the phone prompt for the Nurse Line.

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Notice to Provider Form

The child’s assigned DCS specialist will give you a Notice to Provider form. Caregiver's can show the form to health care providers and pharmacies, or give them the Mercy Care DCS CHP member ID number. Use this form until a permanent ID card is given to you by the child’s DCS Specialist or custodial agency representative.

More Member ID Information

Healthcare Providers

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Arizona Behavioral Health Crisis Hotline

Are you or a loved one in a behavioral health crisis?
Call the Arizona Behavioral Health Crisis Line 24/7 at 1-844-534-4673 or 1-844-534-HOPE.
Or text HOPE to 4HOPE (44673).
Visit this link for Arizona Crisis Hotlines across the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find a list of covered health care services?

Covered services are health care services for which Mercy Care DCS CHP pays. This includes physical health and behavioral health care, services, supports, supplies, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, equipment and other services. The Mercy Care DCS Comprehensive Health Plan Member Handbook provides a list of covered health care services. You can access the handbook at https://www.mercycareaz.org/assets/pdf/chp-members/handbook/MercyCareDCS-CHP2021-2022MemberHandbook-ua.pdf.

What is the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)?

The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is a service system administered through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) that supports people who develop severe and/or chronic disabilities that may limit a person's ability to do the tasks related to daily living. If a child is enrolled in DDD, a support coordinator will be assigned to help determine a service plan to meet the needs of the child. For more information about eligibility, common developmental disability terms, and FAQs, visit https://des.az.gov/services/disabilities/developmental-disabilities.

What wellness appointments does the child need?

Caregivers must schedule a well-child visit, also known as an Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) visit, a dental visit and behavioral health evaluation for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s removal and placement into care.

What is an Integrated Rapid Response Assessment?

Children in foster care have experienced trauma and should receive an Integrated Rapid Response Assessment from a behavioral health provider within 72 hours of removal and placement into out-of-home care. This assessment evaluates the child for any acute behavioral health or physical health needs they may have and supports the caregiver to address those needs. The behavioral health provider assists with selecting a Primary Care Provider (PCP) and arranging an initial appointment. The behavioral health provider will make sure that there is follow up by an ongoing behavioral health team to support the child and caregiver.

If a behavioral health provider has not called you to make an appointment to arrange for an Integrated Rapid Response service within 24 hours after the child enters out-of-home care, call the Crisis Response Network Foster Care Line at 602-633-0763.

How do I get a Mercy Care DCS CHP member identification (ID) card for the child in my care?

Member ID cards are distributed through a variety of means including the DCS Specialist as well as directly to caregivers when possible. If you did not receive a member ID card or if you need a replacement card, contact Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Services.

What should I do if I have a grievance about medical and dental services?

Grievances can be filed at any time verbally or in writing. To file a grievance, call Mercy Care DCS CHP Grievance System Department at 602-586-1719, toll-free at 1-866-386-5794, or fax to 602-351-2300, or email [email protected]. You can also send grievances in writing to Mercy Care DCS CHP, Grievance System Department, 4755 S. 44th Place Phoenix, AZ 85040.

How do I get prescriptions filled for psychotropic medications?

Psychotropic medications are covered by Mercy Care DCS CHP. All prescriptions must be filled at a pharmacy in Mercy Care DCS CHP’s network. Many pharmacies are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. You can find a list of pharmacies in the Mercy Care DCS CHP Provider Directory at MercyCareAZ.org and select “For Members” under Mercy Care DCS CHP. You’ll locate “Find a Pharmacy” in the upper right corner of the screen.

If you have any questions or trouble filling a prescription while you are at the pharmacy, you can call Mercy Care DCS CHP. Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Services can help you with the member’s prescriptions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have questions or problems outside Mercy Care business hours, you can call the Mercy Care 24-hour nurse line at 602-212-4983 or 1-833-711-0776 (TTY/TDD 711).

How do I find a behavioral health provider?

Children and youth in foster care receive behavioral health coverage through Mercy Care DCS CHP. The Mercy Care DCS CHP Provider Directory lists the names, locations, telephone numbers and languages other than English spoken by our plan providers. This includes behavioral health providers and other health care specialists. You can access the Mercy Care DCS CHP Provider Directory by visiting the Mercy Care DCS CHP website at www.MercyCareAZ.org. If you would like a copy of the Mercy Care DCS CHP Provider Directory mailed to you at no cost, you can call Member Services at 602-212-4983 or 1-833-711-0776 (TTY/TDD 711).

How often does the child in my care need to go to the doctor?

Children and youth in foster care should receive a well-child medical examination, also known as an Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT), within 30 days of removal and placement into foster care. Regular well-child examinations should occur every 12 months thereafter. A child under two years of age will have more frequent wellness exams. Your DCS Specialist or DDD support coordinator will ask you about medical and dental appointments, so it is a good idea to keep records of these.

What is Jacob's Law?

HB2442, also known as Jacob's Law was signed in March 2016 in an effort to improve care for Arizona’s foster/kinship/adoptive families receiving behavioral health services. The law establishes timelines to provide behavioral health services to foster and adoptive children. The bill's purpose is to ensure easier, better access to behavioral health care for Arizona's children in foster care and their families.

More FAQs

Contact CHP

Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Service representatives are available to help you with questions, concerns or issues about the child’s health care benefits. They are available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 602-212-4983 or 1-833-711-0776 (TTY/TDD 711), or email [email protected].

Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Services can:

Answer questions about health care benefits
Help solve a problem or concern you might have with a doctor or any part of the health plan
Help you find a doctor
Tell you about our doctors, their backgrounds and care facilities
Help you if you get a medical bill
Tell you about community resources available to you
Help you if you speak another language, are visually impaired, need interpreter services, or sign language services

DCS CHP Resource Liaisons are also available to help you with questions, concerns or issues about the child’s health care coordination. They are available Monday-Friday from 8a.m. to 5 p.m. at (602) 351-2245 or 1-800-201-1795 (TTY/TDD 711) or email [email protected].

Arizona Department of Child Safety