AHCCCS Director Announces Organizational Changes

Director Jami Snyder today announced organizational changes with the following message:

In a state agency that has enjoyed continuity of leadership for the last 17 years, I am honored to serve as the next director of AHCCCS, an agency which stands as a model for Medicaid programs across the country.

AHCCCS will continue to demonstrate our commitment to those we serve – members and families, managed care partners, stakeholders, and taxpayers. Ultimately, our success will be determined by our efforts to support the four goals, and corresponding strategic objectives, outlined in our 2019 strategic plan:

1. Bending the cost curve while improving member outcomes.
2. Pursuing continuous quality improvement.
3. Reducing fragmentation in the delivery system.
4. Maintaining core organizational capacity.

The agency will also pursue opportunities that:

1. Heighten understanding of the role that social determinants (like food insecurity, housing, and employment) play in overall health outcomes as a part of our ongoing commitment to whole person health.
2. Empower members and increase member investment and engagement around the services and supports they receive.
3. Maximize the use of technology within our delivery system in order to enhance access to care while driving down cost.

With new leadership, the agency is afforded an opportunity to align the organization to best meet these goals. To that end, AHCCCS has established two deputy director positions, one to oversee Business Operations and a second to oversee Health Plan Operations. We are competitively recruiting for these two open positions. Additionally, in order to streamline our community advocacy and external communication functions, the Division of Health Care Advocacy and Advancement and the Office of Intergovernmental Relations will combine to become the new Division of Community Advocacy and Intergovernmental Relations, led by Dana Hearn. See the AHCCCS agency organization chart.

We have an exciting year ahead of us and I look forward to working closely with you as we continue to serve the 1.8 million Arizonans who rely on AHCCCS.