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.

Certain disabilities qualify children for Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS). ALTCS is the State of Arizona's Medicaid program that funds long-term care services, for financially and medically eligible Arizona residents. Once eligibility has been determined for ALTCS services, the child will be enrolled with a Health Plan (Mercy Care, Care 1st or United Healthcare). The health plan will provide the services the child is qualified for.

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.

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.