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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 pharmacy should I go to?

All prescriptions must be filled at a pharmacy in Mercy Care DCS CHP’s network. If you need pharmacy services after hours, on weekends or holidays, many pharmacies are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. 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.

Which immunizations (shots) are recommended at which age?

Immunizations (shots) can keep children and youth from getting sick in the future. Talk with the child’s Primary Care Provider (PCP) about the immunizations that are needed and when they are needed. You should use an immunization schedule and have the schedule updated when you visit the child’s doctor. For more information on vaccines and to review recommended immunization schedules, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/ or call Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Services at 602-212-4983 or 1-833-711-0776 (TTY/TDD 711).

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.

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.

How do I organize and store the child's 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 child's DCS Specialist. 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.

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 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 is Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS)?

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.

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 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).

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