Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) & Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) - Phoenix, AZ
The state of Arizona is considered a "pioneer" in Medicaid managed care, as both the first state to implement a large-scale mandatory program for the general Medicaid population (AHCCCS) and the first to design managed long-term care systems for aged, physically disabled and developmentally disabled populations (ALTCS). The Pacific Health Policy Group has served as a consultant to AHCCCS since 1994. Professionals in our firm worked for the state before that, going back to 1990, while part of the National Health Care Practice at KPMG Peat Marwick.
PHPG has served as a consultant to AHCCCS for all managed care procurements since the mid-1990's. Activities include review of draft Request for Proposals, assistance with development of evaluation criteria and oversight of the proposal review process. PHPG assisted with AHCCCS’ 2009 procurement of acute care managed care plans and is helping the agency to prepare for its upcoming procurement of managed long term care plans in 2011.
We also have assisted the state with other components of the ALTCS program. Our work has included development of long-term care provider payment rates and in the design and refinement of clinical pre-admission screening instruments for the state's elderly/physically disabled and developmentally disabled populations.
In 2009 – 2010, PHPG developed an updated Medicaid Preadmission Screening instrument for children under the age of 6 with developmental delays or intellectual disabilities. The instrument incorporates the latest research regarding developmental milestones and characteristics of children with Autism and related disorders. PHPG’s work included convening a panel of experts to develop a draft instrument, conducting a large-scale pilot study and developing a scoring algorithm for eligibility determination through analysis of pilot study data.
PHPG previously developed assessment instruments for older children and adults with intellectual disabilities and for the frail elderly and persons with physical disabilities.
