Mercy Care: The Inside Scoop

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June 25, 2025

Availity

Screen Shot of the Availity Application

Attention Psychiatric Hospitals and Facilities!

Did you know that as a facility, you can look up an SMI (Seriously Mentally Ill) member’s behavioral health home or primary care provider (PCP)?

This functionality is available through Availity—and it’s not just for physicians! Take advantage of this tool to better coordinate care and support your patients.

Upcoming Change to Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) Identification and Removal Submission Process

Beginning in late July 2025, providers will have the option to use the DUGless portal to submit SED identification and removal requests.
While current submission procedures using the SED Identification & Removal Request form remain in effect as a temporary solution, AHCCCS is preparing to transition to the DUGless portal as the permanent submission method.
Use of the DUGless portal will become mandatory on October 1, 2025.

Friendly Reminder to Review Your Contract Requirements

Providers must offer the same hours of operation that are no less (in number or scope) to Mercy Care members that are offered to non-Medicaid members.
PCPs are required to provide members with telephone access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including weekends and holidays.
Read Section 4.02 and 4.03 in our provider manual.

Provider Manual

Preferred Drug List (PDL) Changes

Effective July 1, 2025

True Metrix^®test strips and self-monitoring blood glucose system kits will be preferred on the PDL.

Improving Coordination of Care for Adolescents with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Mental Health Disorders

July 18, 2025 | 11:00 am CT
This session will focus on enhancing the integration of services for adolescents and young adults across systems of care, with a particular emphasis on opioid use and mental health among adolescents.
Participants will learn about best practices for coordinated care, including mental health integration.
Speaker: Sarah Bagley, MD, Maria Rahmandar, MD

Member Feedback Needed!

We want to hear from members and their families/natural supports about their experiences with our behavioral health crisis system! This helps us to make sure our services are meeting their needs.

Please consider bookmarking and passing

along our quick survey forms to our members. Thank you in advanced.

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New Address, Same Mission

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) will be relocating its Phoenix office later this month. Beginning June 26, 2025, AHCCCS will officially operate from the following address: 150 N. 18th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007.

Phone numbers, email addresses, and website will remain unchanged.

AHCCCS wants to hear from you!

Attend the virtual stakeholder session for current AHCCCS contracted Behavioral Health Providers to provide input.

The virtual session will be held on July 14th, from 11:30am to 12:30pm.

Your feedback is important to us. Please send us your thoughts and suggestions below.

Share Your Input

www.MercyCareAZ.org

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