Be in the know by attending the livestream of the Medicaid Innovation Challenge on March 29 in Phoenix.
Profit and not-for-profit vendors will pitch their innovative solutions to the seven managed care organizations (MCOs) in Arizona contracted with AHCCCS to provide comprehensive healthcare to 1.9 million beneficiaries across the...Arizona News
The state's Medicaid agency, The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS,) said a programming error in January led to to its mailing of an IRS coverage statement to incorrect mailing addresses for thousands of AHCCCS members.
This week, AHCCCS members whose protected health information (PHI) was compromised due to the...Arizona Comings & Goings
Mohamed Arif is starting a new position as federal relations administrator at Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). He formerly served as waiver manager for the agency. ...Arizona News
On Tuesday, Feb. 5, former Hacienda Healthcare nurse Nathan Sutherland pleaded not guilty for raping and impregnating a disabled 29-year-old woman in a vegetative state for nearly two decades. Sutherland was arrested last month after the woman unexpectedly gave birth to a baby boy on Dec. 29.
The unprecedented birth in December...Arizona News
In December, a 29-year-old woman in a vegetative state for over a decade gave birth to a baby boy and initiated a rape investigation that bled into the new year. Last week, Gov. Doug Ducey called for a "complete replacement" of the board at Hacienda Healthcare. Now that the alleged perpetrator, Nathan Sutherland, has been arrested,...Arizona News
Phoenix Police arrested licensed practical nurse Nathan Sutherland, 36, on charges of rape Wednesday morning after his DNA matched the baby recently born to an incapacitated patient while in the care of Hacienda Healthcare. Other fall out from the attack included the resignations of Hacienda's CEO and the patient's physician - a second...Arizona Comings & Goings
Long-time assistant, Laura Raymond, has taken a new position as executive staff assistant in the Governor's officer. Raymond served as assistant to AHCCCS Director Tom Betlach. Bethlach is set to retire from his position in January 2019.Arizona News
The Department of Homeland Security announced the proposal of a “public charge” in September that if enacted, would authorize the government to issue penalties to immigrants using federal programs such as Medicare or Medicaid funded through taxpayer-dollars.
A “public charge” assesses the likeliness of an immigrant being...Arizona News
Originally created to ensure Medicaid beneficiaries with a serious mental illness (SMI) weren't warehoused in facilities by the government, the IMD exclusion means state Medicaid agencies can't pay for mental healthcare services received in a residential treatment center with more than 16 beds.
This week, (November 13) Medicaid...National News
In a letter this week, the nonpartisan commission continued its criticism of the state's work requirement to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar; Arkansas has no plans to pause the program, the first in the nation.
So far about 8,500 beneficiaries have been kicked off Arkansas' Medicaid program since its work requirement...Arizona News
Retiring AHCCCS Director Tom Betlach will join Missouri Medicaid Director Dale Carr and a senior leader from the Center for Program Integrity at CMS to discuss how states and the federal government are partnering to identify and address inappropriate or unnecessary spending in the healthcare system.
Department of Health & Human...Arizona News
Hospitals say getting paid for previously uninsured folks has saved them from potential closure. The Goldwater Institute says hospitals are raking in the dough by also raising rates on the commercial side.The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) publishes a report that tracks uncompensated care trends for Arizona...Arizona News
CNSI, a health information technology (IT) company based in Maryland, developed the nation's first automated real time and cloud based Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) in Michigan.
The initial term of the contract will be for three years, with two, one-year options to extend, not to exceed five years.
Other bidders...Arizona News
Grant funding provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
AHCCCS will administer the grant and work with other state agencies, health plans, and community partners to address specific initiatives. This is the first installment of a two-year grant...Arizona News
As part of a million dollar translational research grant, over the next two years select Arizona State University faculty will spend time researching ways to improve quality and services as well as reduce costs for Maricopa County populations. The partnership will be led by College of Health Solutions researcher William...National News
Prescription drug rebates are typically negotiated by pharmacy benefits managers (PBM), such as CVS and United (two of the largest PBMs), but Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar says he has the power to eliminate them in the United States.
Pharmaceutical companies on Thursday, Aug. 10 were notified...Arizona News
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Thursday, Aug. 16 announced key changes to the Medicaid Review Process that are designed to significantly reduce approval times for state Medicaid agencies.
Sometimes a simple request can mean enduring several months of review. CMS said its now...News
AzHHA releases financial information which includes improved overall operating income and continued stability in uncompensated care.The report focuses on the impact Medicaid expansion has had on lowering uncompensated care. Also included are stats about overall AHCCCS enrollment (falling), the hospital assessment and childless adults...Arizona News
By the end of the month approximately 10,500 Coconino County residents receiving healthcare benefits from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) will have the opportunity to choose a new health plan.
Care1st Health Plan Arizona was awarded a new contract for the northern Arizona geographic service area (GSA),...Arizona News
The Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG) produced the June 2018 report for Arizona Medicaid's acute care and Comprehensive Medical and Dental Program (CMDP).
Overview of the CYE 2017 External Review included the following MCOs
Care1st Health Plan Arizona, Inc. (Care1st)
Health Choice Arizona (HCA)
Health Net Access (Health...
