AHCCCS Seeks Survey Response from ALTCS Members and Families
AHCCCS and the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) are conducting two surveys of members enrolled in the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) and their families. Both surveys ask questions about whether members and families feel safe and protected from abuse and neglect.
All responses are entirely anonymous and confidential. Individual answers will not be shared.
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At Midpoint of Renewals Process, More Than One Million AHCCCS Members Maintain Coverage
AHCCCS released its monthly Medicaid renewal data dashboard. Renewals began April 1, and now, at the midpoint of the process to renew all 2.5 million enrolled members, more than one million have maintained their Medicaid coverage.
Of the renewals initiated in September, 83% of members maintained coverage and 73% of those renewals were automatically determined without the need for members or state workers to take action to determine eligibility.
More than 110,000 members who have been disenrolled since April for not responding to the agency’s request for information have taken advantage of the 90-day window to finish their renewal. 52,863 met eligibility criteria and had coverage reinstated.
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Arizona Adds Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Testing for Children Under One Year to Medicaid Covered Services
In October, AHCCCS announced pilot coverage, contingent upon federal approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, of medically necessary Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing testing for Medicaid-enrolled children under one year of age who meet criteria.
Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing testing is used to evaluate critically ill infants up to one year of age who are admitted for inpatient hospital services and meet other medical criteria. It is considered an emerging method of diagnosing genetic conditions.
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AHCCCS and ATD to Offer New Learning Courses to Strengthen the Health Care Workforce in 2024
AHCCCS and the Association for Talent Development (ATD) announce a new partnership to provide expert-led professional development courses to AHCCCS health care providers so they can more effectively recruit and develop staff and retain their workforces.
“AHCCCS is focused on addressing the growing need for health care workers in the next decade. Ensuring providers are able to train and develop staff will increase retention and employee satisfaction,” said Bill Kennard, AHCCCS Workforce Development Administrator. “Partnering with ATD brings national training expertise directly to AHCCCS providers to help them develop and manage talent.”
Through this partnership with ATD, health care managers, executives, workforce development professionals, trainers, and others will be able to increase training and facilitation skills and learn strategies to develop current workforce talent and increase employee retention.
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AHCCCS Sets Rates for Applied Behavior Analysis Services
AHCCCS announces a designated Fee-for-Service (FFS) fee schedule effective for dates of service beginning November 1, 2023. The new fee schedule includes a change to the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) rates for fee-for-service providers.
Setting rates for ABA services will not change the services covered by Medicaid. The array of covered services remains the same. Additionally, the proposed rates only pertain to Fee-for-Service claims.
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Arizona’s New Olmstead Plan Outlines Program Interventions for People at Risk of Institutionalization
AHCCCS released a new State Olmstead Plan, a strategy document that outlines priorities within the health care delivery system directed toward individuals at risk of institutionalization, including those living with behavioral health needs and members enrolled in the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS).
The 1999 United States Supreme Court Olmstead decision provided a legal framework for the efforts of federal and state governments to integrate persons with disabilities into their communities. Olmstead is intended to remove unjustified segregation of individuals from the broader community and to ensure that individuals receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.
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AHCCCS Scholarships To Help Health Care Students at Northland Pioneer College
AHCCCS has partnered with Northland Pioneer College to provide scholarships to students in behavioral health care programs and courses.
“Offering more opportunities for students to earn health care and behavioral health degrees and credentials in rural Arizona is critical to strengthening the workforce and addressing shortages,” said Bill Kennard, AHCCCS Workforce Development Administrator. “Better prepared candidates make it easier for providers to streamline their new employee onboarding process, thereby ensuring AHCCCS members receive care more quickly.”
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Cabinet Executive Officer Carmen Heredia recently toured Rancho Del Pacifico, a clinical care ranch specializing in equine-assisted therapy. Equine therapy helps facilitate personal development and growth, in addition to better outcomes for concerns related to depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders, substance use disorders, and developmental disorders.
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AHCCCS Leaders Featured at 2023 State of Reform Conference
Ms. Heredia presented the closing keynote address at the 2023 State of Reform Conference in October. She was joined by AHCCCS deputy directors and other agency leaders who shared their expertise on various topics including Medicaid redeterminations, efforts to promote sustainable housing through policy, progress and challenges in treating addiction, and issues and initiatives in tribal health care.
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Tonto Apache Tribe Hosts AHCCCS Visit
The Tonto Apache tribe, located near Payson, hosted a visit from AHCCCS staff in October to learn more about how to enroll its approximately 200 tribal members in Medicaid services. The Tonto Apache tribe’s land base is approximately 85 acres, making it the smallest reservation in the state.
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AHCCCS Leaders Attend National Association of Medicaid Directors Conference
(Left to right) Deputy Director Kristen Challacombe, CEO Carmen Heredia, Assistant Director Alex Demyan, Communications Administrator Heidi Capriotti, and Deputy Director Marcus Johnson attended the 2023 NAMD Conference in Washington D.C. along with other state Medicaid programs and stakeholders to learn about new innovations and share Arizona’s successful initiatives.
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Helping Members Enroll and Renew
Stopping Provider Fraud and Protecting Members
Expanding Covered Service
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ARP Program Awards for HCBS Providers
(Round 2)
Mon., Nov. 13, noon—1:30 p.m., online on Zoom
Eligible HCBS providers can request up to $1,000,000 for programmatic or infrastructure projects designed to enhance the health, safety, and member experience for individuals who receive HCBS in Arizona. Webinar topics include: overview of the ARP Program Awards, updates for Round 2, eligible providers and activities, examples of successful projects from Round 1.
Applications open December 4
Jacob’s Law Training
Thurs., Nov. 16, 10:00 a.m.— noon, online on Zoom
This training will cover Jacob’s law, review and use of the DCS placement packet, legal rights and protections of children and resource parents, and covered services.
AHCCCS Hot Topics
Mon., Nov. 20, 11:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m., online on Zoom
This training will cover the basics of the Olmstead decision and the Arizona Olmstead Plan strategies.
OIFA Health Care Navigation
Tues., Nov. 28, noon—12:30 p.m., online on Zoom
Join us to learn about the Child and Family Team (CFT) collaborative process for children receiving behavioral health services. Learn who is involved and what to expect from a CFT.
11th Annual Arizona Dental Mission of Mercy
Dec. 8-9, Veterans Coliseum at the Arizona State Fairgrounds
Clinical and non-clinical volunteers needed.
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