MedicaidAdministrativeMedium impact
AHCCCS Awards Contract for Serious Mental Illness and Serious Emotional Disturbance Eligibility Determinations
Arizona Medicaid - AHCCCS·AZ · Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Family Medicine·Enrollment
Effective date
Oct 1, 2023
We identified it
Jun 17, 2026
Summary
AHCCCS has awarded Solari, Inc. a contract to standardize eligibility determinations for Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) in Arizona. This creates standardized processes for identifying patients who qualify for these designations and additional mental health services through Medicaid and federal Mental Health Block Grant funding.
Action Required
Billing teams serving Arizona Medicaid patients should review current processes for SMI and SED designation referrals. Ensure staff know to refer appropriate patients (adults 18+ for SMI evaluations, children under 18 with functional impairment for SED evaluations) to Solari, Inc. for standardized eligibility determinations. Update workflows to track patients with SMI/SED designations as they may qualify for additional covered services beyond standard Medicaid benefits.