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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

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 can I get a Mercy Care DCS CHP insurance card for the child?

Member Mercy Care DCS CHP 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 is expected of me as a foster parent in regard to the child's recommended behavioral health services?

Participate in the Child and Family Team (CFT) Meetings
Ensure the child attends appointments for services
Document and report any incidents or changes regarding the child's behavior
Ensure medications are administered correctly if prescribed
Keep documentation for behavioral health services (CFT service plan, progress reports, etc)

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.

How do I find a health care provider that accepts Mercy Care DCS CHP?

You can find a health care provider by accessing the Mercy Care DCS CHP Provider Directory at https://www.mercycareaz.org, or call Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Services at 602-212-4983 or 1-833-711-0776 (TTY/TDD 711) for assistance.

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.

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.

Do foster caregivers pay for behavioral health services?

Caregivers should not pay fees or copayments for medical, dental, vision, or behavioral health services and equipment covered by Mercy Care DCS CHP. Caregivers should not be billed for any services that Mercy Care DCS CHP covers. List Mercy Care DCS CHP as the responsible party on medical, dental, and vision forms. You do not need to list any personal information on any bills or claims.

Who can I contact in a crisis?

For all medical emergencies, dial 911 immediately. If you or a child or youth in your care are facing a behavioral health crisis, you can call one of the Arizona crisis lines listed below. Call anytime, 24/7, for crisis intervention, support and referrals.

Central Arizona Crisis Line (serves Maricopa County):602-222-9444 or 1-800-631-1314 (toll-free) TTY: 602-274-3360 or 800-327-9254
Northern Arizona Crisis Line (serves Apache, Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai counties): 1-877-756-4090
Southern Arizona Crisis Line (serves Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma counties or the San Carlos Apache Reservation): 1-866-495-6735
Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian Communities: 1-800-259-3449
Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community: 1-855-331-6432

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