Children's Behavioral Health Services Fund

www.MercyCareAZ.org

August 23, 2021

Applies to: Mercy Care Complete Care, Mercy Care DD, Mercy Care RBHA, and Mercy Care DCS-CHP

In 2020, the Arizona Legislature passed Jake’s Law, Senate Bill 1523, which funds behavioral health services for uninsured and underinsured children who are referred through a public educational institution. Funding is authorized for services provided through June of 2022 and funding is the payer of last resort. Schools that meet the requirements of the law can refer students for behavioral health services, regardless of a student’s Medicaid eligibility. Services can be provided by participating providers throughout the state through the three Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs).

Mercy Care RBHA works with AHCCCS staff, educational entities, and contracted providers to increase outreach and identification of under and uninsured individuals with behavioral health service needs; increase referral of these individuals to behavioral health services; and increase utilization of behavioral health services. Mercy Care contracts with 16 providers across the central region to provide services under this funding. Children's Behavioral Health Services Fund eligibility requirements include:

Uninsured or underinsured – Non-Title XIX/XXI
Enrolled in school
2.75-21.9 years of age
No qualifying diagnosis
Referral from a public educational entity

For list of all 16 providers, including contact information and referral forms, please visit the Mercy Care Behavioral Health in Schools webpage.

For more information on this funding refer to AHCCCS Guidance on their website.

For questions on the Children's Behavioral Health Services Fund, please reach out to Grants@MercyCareAZ.org.

As always, don't hesitate to contact your Mercy Care Network Management Representative with any questions or comments. You can find this notice and all other provider notices on our Mercy Care website.

Thanks for all you do!