MedicaidAdministrativeMedium impact
AHCCCS Awards Behavioral Health Contracts to Provide Services for Members with Serious Mental Illness Designations
Arizona Medicaid - AHCCCS·AZ · Psychiatry·Specialty Services
Effective date
Oct 1, 2022
We identified it
Jun 17, 2026
Summary
AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid) is transferring behavioral health contracts for members with Serious Mental Illness designations to three health plans: Mercy Care, Arizona Complete Health, and Care1st. This affects approximately 5,860 Medicaid members and 6,600 non-Medicaid individuals who will transition from Health Choice Arizona to new health plans based on geographic service areas.
Action Required
Before October 1, 2022: Billing team must update patient insurance information for members with Serious Mental Illness designations transitioning between health plans. Verify new health plan assignments based on Geographic Service Areas (Central, South, North). Update billing system with new plan contracts: Mercy Care (Central GSA), Arizona Complete Health (South GSA), and Care1st (North GSA). Contact affected patients to confirm new insurance details before scheduling appointments.