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Frequently Asked Questions

Health

What should I do if I am having trouble filling a prescription for the child?

If you have any questions or trouble filling a prescription while you are at the pharmacy, you can call Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Services for assistance. 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 often does the child in my care need to go to the dentist?

It is important to start dental care at an early age and continue regularly. Children and youth who are at least 1 year of age, or with the eruption of the first tooth, should receive a dental examination within 30 days of removal and placement into foster care. Regular dental checkups should occur every 6 months following the first visit.

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.

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 if I get a bill for health care services for the child in my care?

If you receive a bill for a covered health care service, do not pay the bill yourself. Call the health care provider right away and give them the child’s insurance information and Mercy Care DCS CHP’s address: Mercy Care, 4755 S. 44th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85040, www.MercyCareAZ.org. If you still get bills after giving the provider the member’s health care information, call Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Services at 602-212-4983 or 1-833-711-0776 (TTY/TDD 711) for help.

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 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 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.

What is expected of me as a foster parent in the area of DDD/ALTCS?

Provide care to the child in a manner that supports independence, self-esteem, respect, value, and dignity.
Actively participate in the child's Planning Team.
Attend medical appointments, therapeutic appointments and advanced training to appropriately meet the child's medical/therapeutic needs.
Report incidents to the DDD Support Coordinator, DCS case manager, and your licensing worker if you are licensed, as well as complete a DDD Incident Report form.

What services are covered by Mercy Care DCS Comprehensive Health Plan?

Mercy Care DCS CHP pays for health care services that are medically necessary. Medically necessary means reasonable and necessary to prevent or treat illnesses or health conditions or disabilities. This includes care that keeps children and youth from going into a hospital. It also means the services, supplies, or medications that meet accepted standards of medical practice. You can check the Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Handbook for a list of covered health care services.

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

How do I get medical and dental records for the child in my care?

The child's assigned DCS Specialist should provide 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 the child’s placement into your home, you can also request records from past medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health providers.

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.

When do I need to report illnesses, injuries, and health care appointments?

Licensed foster parents should notify DCS and their licensing agency within 24 hours if the child has an illness, injury, change of medication, or medication error that results in seeking medical attention.

Licensed foster parents are to notify DCS and their licensing agency immediately if the child dies, has a serious illness or injury requiring hospitalization, or receives urgent care or emergency room treatment and whenever emergency services (911) is contacted.

Within 24 hours of any of the above noted incidents, licensed foster parents shall complete an Unusual Incident Report form and submit it to their licensing agency. Unlicensed kinship foster parents are to notify DCS within 2 hours of the following death of a child or hospitalization (medical or psychiatric). Unlicensed kinship foster parents are to notify DCS within 48 hours if the child becomes seriously ill.

How do I organize and store the child's medical and dental 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 new care providers. 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 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.

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