AHCCCS Director to Leave Position at End of Year
Last month, Jami Snyder, director of AHCCCS, announced her intention to leave her position at the end of 2022. Snyder has served as the agency’s director since 2019.
“I have been incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve in a leadership role for one of the most respected Medicaid programs in the country,” Snyder said. “Spearheading the work of a state agency that impacts the lives of almost 2.5 million Arizonans has been demanding and immensely rewarding.”
Snyder was appointed by Governor Doug Ducey on Jan. 5, 2019 after having served as AHCCCS deputy director, and director of Texas’ Medicaid program prior to that.
“I’m deeply grateful to have had Jami Snyder’s talent, acumen, and compassion at the head of AHCCCS over the last four years," said Governor Ducey. "Under her leadership, AHCCCS navigated an unprecedented health care pandemic, expanded Arizona students’ access to behavioral health services, and moved 80 percent of the AHCCCS workforce to full-time remote work, saving taxpayers $1.2 million. She has navigated extremely complicated health care issues during her tenure, always with a focus on the best interest of the Arizonans she serves. The state thanks her for all she has done for its citizens and her dedicated leadership.”
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Arizona Recognized For Its Medicaid Program Innovation
In Sept., AHCCCS received a 2022 Medicaid Innovation Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) for developing the Whole Person Care Initiative which offers a range of support services to enrollees including transitional housing; referrals for and transportation to community-based services such as employment and food assistance; and long-term care services to reduce social isolation.
“AHCCCS is incredibly honored to receive this recognition for its work to improve the health outcomes of the over 2.4 million Arizonans served by the program,” said Jami Snyder, director of AHCCCS. “Our data demonstrates that we can be more impactful in providing quality care and bending the health care cost curve when we focus on innovation that not only addresses members’ clinical care needs but also economic and social drivers of health. In the coming years, AHCCCS will continue this mission critical work, focusing on efforts that make it easier for clinicians to connect individuals to needed social services, offer transitional housing to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and connect those experiencing social isolation to community resources.”
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AHCCCS Director Receives 2022 HIE Excellence Leadership Award
Jami Snyder received the 2022 HIE Excellence Leadership Award from Contexture, Arizona’s health information exchange, for outstanding leadership in the health information technology area. The award, bestowed during the 15th Annual Arizona HIE Summit & Trade Show, recognized Snyder for advancing technological solutions aimed at improving quality and patient experience while lowering costs.
“Thank you, Contexture, for recognizing the work AHCCCS is doing to find ways to innovate, improve health outcomes, and bend the health care cost curve,” Snyder said. “Together, we are realizing the impact we can have when we extend our understanding of integrated care to meet the needs of the whole person.”
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Provider Participation Modifier Deadline Extended Until January 1, 2023
AHCCCS has extended the deadline for providers to begin reporting the individual practitioner who rendered services on professional and dental service claims until January 1, 2023. This requirement impacts all claims for AHCCCS providers registered as integrated clinics (Provider Type IC), behavioral health outpatient clinics (Provider Type 77), and clinics (Provider Type 05).
AHCCCS and its Managed Care Organizations will deny claims for dates of service on and after January 1, 2023 if the individual practitioner who performed the services associated with the clinic visit is not reported. See Exhibit 10-1 of the AHCCCS Fee-For-Service Provider Billing Manual for billing instructions for proper claims submissions.
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Two Medicaid Leaders Competitively Selected for Professional Development Programs
The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) recently announced that Alex Demyan, Deputy Director of the Division of Community Advocacy and Intergovernmental Relations, is one of 20 rising Medicaid agency leaders from across the country competitively selected to participate in the second class of the Medicaid Pathways Program. This Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded executive training initiative, led by CHCS, offers a unique opportunity for a diverse cohort of senior Medicaid leaders who are new to Medicaid leadership roles or are interested in advancing to a more senior role in the future.
Stefanie Smith, the Housing Program Manager in the Division of Health Care Management, was selected as a Fellow by Arizona Leading for Change, a leadership program designed to bring diverse cohorts of high-potential organizational leaders, community organizers, activists, future candidates, and elected officials together. The Fellowship provides an environment for critical reflection and discovery of new ways to effectively lead and influence positive community change. Stefanie, who joined AHCCCS in January 2022 to oversee the Housing Administrator contract and housing program, plans to use this fellowship to grow her activism to end homelessness and increase access to affordable housing.
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Customer Satisfaction Telephone Survey Starts Oct. 3
Starting Oct. 3, customers who call AHCCCS will be asked to participate in an optional, short survey about their experience.
With customer feedback, AHCCCS will be able to gauge customer satisfaction with problem resolution, identify potential opportunities for improvement, and set future goals.
At the end of a phone call, the survey will ask four questions, recorded in both English and Spanish, asking the caller to indicate a satisfaction level of 1 to 4, with 4 being the best customer experience.
We value feedback from our customers and look forward to learning how we can better serve you.
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Jacob’s Law Training for Foster, Kinship and Adoptive Parents
Tues., Oct. 4, 10:00 a.m. and Fri., Oct. 21, 1:00 p.m., online
This training provides an overview of Arizona House Bill 2442, passed into law in 2016; a review of the DCS Placement Packet; legal rights and protections; and covered services.
AHCCCS Special Tribal Consultation: CHW Voluntary Certification
Wed., Oct., 5, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., online
AHCCCS Consultation Meetings with tribes and I/T/Us are held in accordance with the AHCCCS Tribal Consultation Policy to consult on policy and programmatic changes that may significantly impact enrolled American Indian/Alaska Native members.
Community Health Worker/Community Health Representative Information Session
Fri., Oct. 14, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., online
AHCCCS is preparing a State Plan Amendment to add community health worker services to the state's Medicaid program. During this forum, we will discuss the scope of the Medicaid CHW service, reimbursement and related considerations.
Building Partnerships Community Policy Meeting
Oct., 24, noon – 1:00 p.m., online
Health Care Navigation: Using OIFA Empowerment Tools to Navigate the Health Care System
Wed., Oct. 25, noon to 12:30 p.m., online
Learn about the AHCCCS standards on appointment availability as they apply to primary care providers (PCPs), specialists, dental, maternity and behavioral health providers.
The Grievance and Appeal Process for Individuals Living with a Serious Mental Illness
Thurs., Oct. 27, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., online
To join by audio only: 877-853-5257
Webinar ID: 890 5381 9141, Passcode: 6464446755
AHCCCS members who use behavioral health services or have a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) designation, family members, people who are natural supports, providers who serve these members, stakeholders, and community advocates are encouraged to attend.
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