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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 are the different types of services covered by Arizona Long Term Care (ALTCS)?

Institutional care in a nursing facility;
Home and community based services, combining out-patient and in-home care;
Medical services, such as doctor’s office visits and prescriptions (prescription coverage is limited for people with Medicare);
Behavioral health services;
Preventive and well care for children; and
Hospice services.

If you have questions regarding ALTCS services, contact ALTCS toll-free at 888-621-6880. Additional information for ALTCS can be found at https://www.azahcccs.gov/members/ALTCSlocations.html.

What should I do if I have a grievance about health services for the child?

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.

Which pharmacy should I go to?

You can find a list of pharmacies in the Mercy Care DCS CHP Provider Directory. Visit www.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.

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

What health insurance does the child in my care have?

Mercy Care Department of Child Safety Comprehensive Health Plan (Mercy Care DCS CHP) is the health plan for Arizona’s children in foster care. Mercy Care DCS CHP is a program administered by DCS. Children in foster care are automatically enrolled in Mercy Care DCS CHP.

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 locate health providers for the child in my care?

You can select a health care provider from the Mercy Care DCS CHP Provider Directory. The directory includes languages that the provider speaks and services they provide to those with physical disabilities. You can search the list of providers by location, specialty or name. The directory is available on the Mercy Care DCS CHP website at www.MercyCareAZ.org, or call Member Services at 602-212-4983 or 1-833-711-0776 (TTY/TDD 711), to have a copy of the directory mailed to you at no cost.

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 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 behavioral health services require DCS consent?

DCS must consent to inpatient assessment, inpatient psychiatric care services, residential treatment services, therapeutic group homes, and Home Care Training to Home Care Client (HCTC).

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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