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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 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.

Where can I find a list of covered health care services?

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.

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.

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.

What behavioral health services require DCS consent?

DCS must consent to inpatient assessment, inpatient psychiatric care services, residential treatment services, therapeutic group homes, and Home Care Training to Home Care Client (HCTC).

What is Jacob's Law?

HB2442, also known as Jacob's Law was signed in March 2016 in an effort to improve care for Arizona’s foster/kinship/adoptive families receiving behavioral health services. The law establishes timelines to provide behavioral health services to foster and adoptive children. The bill's purpose is to ensure easier, better access to behavioral health care for Arizona's children in foster care and their families.

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).

How do I locate health providers for the child in my care?

You can select a health care provider from the Mercy Care DCS CHP Provider Directory. The directory includes languages that the provider speaks and services they provide to those with physical disabilities. You can search the list of providers by location, specialty or name. The directory is available on the Mercy Care DCS CHP website at www.MercyCareAZ.org, or call Member Services at 602-212-4983 or 1-833-711-0776 (TTY/TDD 711), to have a copy of the directory mailed to you at no cost.

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.

What is the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)?

The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is a service system administered through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) that supports people who develop severe and/or chronic disabilities that may limit a person's ability to do the tasks related to daily living. If a child is enrolled in DDD, a support coordinator will be assigned to help determine a service plan to meet the needs of the child. For more information about eligibility, common developmental disability terms, and FAQs, visit https://des.az.gov/services/disabilities/developmental-disabilities.

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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