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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

What is a Prior Authorization (PA)?

A Prior Authorization (PA) is when a provider calls Mercy Care DCS CHP for approval to provide special services. It’s up to the child’s health care provider to get a PA from Mercy Care DCS CHP. Mercy Care DCS CHP reviews the service request from the member’s provider. The provider will tell you if the child’s service is approved.

How do I get the child in my care evaluated for psychotropic medications?

A request for an evaluation for medication can be made through the Child and Family Team (CFT) or directly through the health care provider. The decision to have the child evaluated is made in collaboration with the CFT, which includes the DCS Specialist. Any concerns discussed at the CFT are shared with the child’s prescribing doctor.

How do I organize and store the child's behavioral health information and records?

It is a good idea to keep the child's records in a notebook or binder that you can bring to Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings and other appointments. This will help you organize and store all of the child’s records, information, and documents. If the child moves to a new foster home, send this notebook/binder to the child's DCS Specialist. Also, remember that the child's case record is confidential. Be sure to keep the child's records stored in a secure location in your home that only caregiver (you) can access.

How do I organize and store the child's information and records?

It is a good idea to keep the child's records in a notebook or binder that you can bring to Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings and other appointments. This will help you organize and store all of the child’s records, information, and documents. If the child moves to a new foster home, send this notebook/binder to the child's DCS Specialist. Also, remember that the child's case record is confidential. Be sure to keep the child's records stored in a secure location in your home that only caregiver (you) can access.

What is the Notice to Provider form?

The Notice to Provider form is a document that authorizes caregivers to enroll the child in school and obtain medical care for the child. The child’s assigned DCS specialist will give you a Notice to Provider form when the child is placed in your home. The Notice to Provider form includes the DCS Specialist’s contact information, specifications about contact with the child's family, and the child's health coverage identification number.

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.

What is the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP)?

The Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) is a statewide system of programs and services. AzEIP provides support for families of infants and toddlers, newborn to 3 years old, with disabilities or delays. The goal is to help these children reach their full potential. A newborn to 3-year-old child who is the victim of abuse or neglect can get an AzEIP evaluation. For more information on the AzEIP program, call 602-532-9960, toll free 1-888-439-5609 or visit the website at https://des.az.gov/services/disabilities/developmental-infant.

How do I find out previous and current medical conditions for the child in my care?

Ensure that the child's DSC Specialist provides you with the child’s Health and Medical Report. Ask the DCS Specialist to provide all medical information that is in the child's file. With the Notice to Provider form that you receive upon placement, you can also request records from past medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health providers.

Are behavioral health services available in the home?

Some behavioral health services may be provided in the home rather than in the office. Talk to the child’s behavioral health provider to find out what options are available.

Who provides transportation to medical and dental appointments?

Kinship/Foster caregivers should provide transportation to medical and behavioral health appointments. If you are unable to provide transportation, contact your DCS worker for transportation assistance. CMDP member services may contacted for additional help. 602-351-2245 option 3

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