AHCCCS recently awarded contracts that will result in changes to PHS Acute Care members in Pima and Santa Cruz Counties. If you are on the Long Term Care plan (ALTCS) you will continue on PHS, you do not need to make any changes.

PHS will continue to serve all of its membership until the current contract expires on September 30, 2008. A total of about 27,000 current PHS members will be changed to a new plan effective October 1, 2008. The remaining PHS dual eligible members (Medicare & Medicaid (about 3,000)) will continue with PHS after October 1, 2008, these members do not need to make any changes.

PHS will be working closely with AHCCCS and the health plans to make sure PHS members are transitioned to a new health plan without disruption to their health care services.

The affected PHS members will be assigned to an available health plan in their county by AHCCCS and notified of their new health plan assignment in July 2008. These members can stay with the health plan AHCCCS selects for them or choose a different health plan by August 31, 2008.

Members will also have a chance to change health plans (if desired) during another enrollment choice period of October 1 through November 30, 2008. The effective date of the member move to the new health plan will be October 1, 2008.

Affected members will receive more information directly from AHCCCS.