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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

More Resources

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.

View more contacts

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

Do I need to keep track of medication given to the child in my care?

It is recommended that the child’s medications and dosages are logged. Keeping documentation of medications to show the child's doctor is helpful when determining a medication's effectiveness and correct dosage. Keeping a medication log for the child also demonstrates compliance with doctor's orders. The log will help you organize and store all of the child’s records, information, and documents.

Are medications covered by Mercy Care DCS CHP?

Prescription medications and some over-the-counter medications are covered by Mercy Care DCS CHP. If the child needs medicine, the child’s health care provider will choose one from Mercy Care DCS CHP’s list of covered medications (called a formulary) and write a prescription. If you want a copy of the list, call Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Services or go to the website at www.MercyCareAZ.org. If you are at a pharmacy and the pharmacy tells you that Mercy Care DCS CHP will not pay for the medication, call Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Services right away. Do not pay out of your own pocket for the medicine. 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 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.

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 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.

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.

What documentation and notification is required following a crisis?

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

Licensed foster parents should notify DCS and their licensing agency immediately if their 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 the 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 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 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 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.

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