Compliance Reminder about the Arizona Confidentiality Program (ACP) 

The Arizona’s Address Confidentiality Program protects the location of individuals that are victims of stalking, domestic violence, or abuse. As an AHCCCS-registered and contracted provider, you must: 

• Accept and use the ACP substitute address in all records and communications. 
• Keep actual addresses confidential—do not store, share, or disclose them. 
• Use address information only for direct service delivery. 

If you need an actual address for service, submit a formal request to the ACP Office. For details, visit azsos.gov/services/acp or contact ACP at 602-542-1892. 

Thank you for helping protect member safety and privacy. 

Upcoming HEDIS Audit 



Mercy Care would like to remind providers of the upcoming HEDIS Audit, scheduled to begin in February 2026.  

To prepare for the audit, review the HEDIS provider bulletin located on the Mercy Care HEDIS page for information on: 



• HEDIS Audit Timeline 
• Provider Requirements 
• Record Submission Process 
• Included Measures 

Please note: Providing requested records at no cost is a contractual requirement.  



Thank you for your continued partnership in caring for our members.  

New Prior Authorization Feature in Availity 

We’ve added a new inquiry feature within the Authorization Add request on the Availity® provider portal. The feature is called “Is Authorization Required.” With it, you can now check Mercy Care authorization requirements without having to submit a request. 

Click here to see how it works 

Update on Prior Authorization (PA) Turnaround Time (TAT) Compliance

The CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule requires shortened prior authorization turnaround times effective January 1, 2026:

• Standard requests: Reduced from 14 calendar days to seven calendar days
• Urgent requests: Reduced from 72 hours to 72 hours (no change)

Click Here to Review More

Reminder regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  

Providers are required to ensure that their offices offer physical access, reasonable accommodations, and accessible equipment for Medicaid members with physical or mental disabilities, in compliance with 42 CFR §438.206(c)(3) and 42 CFR §457.1230(a). 

Additionally, under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), public accommodations such as physician offices must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. No qualified individual with a disability may be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or subjected to discrimination by any public entity. Provider offices must be accessible and make reasonable efforts to provide appropriate accommodations, such as large-print materials and easily accessible doorways. 

Mercy Care reminds providers about proper use of anesthesia during spinal procedures

While these guidelines are specific to Medicare, Mercy Care applies Medicare requirements to Medicaid when appropriate. 

Please review the anesthesia limitations for spinal pain management procedures outlined in the three Noridian Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs). 

Article Detail - JF Part B - Noridian 

AHCCCS Medicaid Enterprise System (MES) Modernization Program Timeline

AHCCCS has notified Mercy Care about updates to the MES timeline. The article highlights four projects designed to improve technology and innovation.

It is important to note:  

Fraud, waste and abuse

• Claims submitted by providers to Mercy Care, and then reported as encounters to AHCCCS, will be analyzed to identify patterns of fraud, waste, and abuse. 
• Prepayment review does not apply to managed care plans; it only applies to Fee-for-Service (FFS) claims. 

Visit the AHCCCS Website for further information.  

Medicaid Enterprise System (MES) Modernization Program