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Mercy Care DCS Comprehensive Health Plan

On April 1, 2021, CMDP changed to Mercy Care Department of Child Safety Comprehensive Health Plan, or Mercy Care DCS CHP. Children in foster care are able to get medical, dental and behavioral health services from one health plan, Mercy Care DCS CHP. Covered services for children in foster care remain the same.

These services may include:

Primary and specialty physician care services.
Prescription drugs and medical supplies.
Medical checkups Behavioral health services
Hospital care
Vision services
Dental services

For Members

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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.

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For Providers

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Frequently Asked Questions

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).

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 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.

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.

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.

What wellness appointments does the child need?

Caregivers must schedule a well-child visit, also known as an Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) visit, a dental visit and behavioral health evaluation for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s removal and placement into care.

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 dental appointments does the child need?

Caregivers must schedule a dental examination for each child age 1 year or older as soon as possible but no later than within 30 days of placement. Regular dental checkups should occur every 6 months following the initial dental examination.

Are there specific rules about storing medications?

If you are a licensed foster parent, medications must be stored according to Arizona Administrative Code, Title 21, Chapter 8, Article 1. This means a licensed foster parent shall ensure all medications are kept in locked storage; a lock is defined as a device operated by a key, combination, magnet, keycard, or other tool. Locks must not include a locked door for a room that serves an alternate purpose (laundry room, garage, office, daily use closets, bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, etc.) Medication means both prescription and over-the-counter remedies. If you are an unlicensed provider, although it is not required to lock medications, it is recommended that medications be safeguarded.

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.

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Contact Us

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

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