Settlement Agreement Awards Contracts to Four Health Plans to Serve Elderly and Physically Disabled Members

Phoenix, AZ — Beginning October 1, 2025, four health plans will be covering services for Arizonans enrolled with the Arizona Long Term Care System-Elderly and/or Physically Disabled (ALTCS-EPD) program. This announcement is made possible by a settlement agreement that awards 3-year contracts, with options to extend, to each of the four health plans which are Arizona Physicians IPA, Inc. (dba UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), Banner-University Care Advantage (dba Banner-University Family Care), Mercy Care, and Bridgeway Health Solutions of Arizona, Inc. (dba Arizona Complete Health-Long Term Care) successor by internal merger to Health Net Access, Inc. The upcoming contracts represent the most significant advancements for the ALTCS-EPD program since the 2017 ALTCS-EPD contract implementation, reflecting important innovations to Arizona’s health care delivery system, including choice for ALTCS-EPD members.

Over the coming months, AHCCCS will be reaching out to members to inform them of relevant changes and to promote smooth member transitions and coordination of care between health plans for the 10/1/25 contract start date. Prior to 10/1/25, AHCCCS intends to send enrollment notices to members to notify them of the health plan they will be assigned to. These notices will also provide important information about the transition and will explain to members the choice of health plans that are available and their opportunities for choosing a different health plan.

AHCCCS is pleased with the outcome of this agreement and we are confident that our ALTCS-EPD members will continue to receive high quality care, said Carmen Heredia, the former AHCCCS Director, who was instrumental in reaching this agreement. Our priority is the health and well-being of ALTCS-EPD members, and AHCCCS looks forward to engaging with the respective health plans in preparation for the upcoming contract implementation.

The new contracts, effective 10/1/25 through 9/30/28, with options to extend, will allow members to choose between health plans based on the following Geographic Services Areas (GSAs):

• Central GSA: Arizona Complete Health-Long Term Care, Banner-University Family Care, Mercy Care, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
• Northern GSA: Arizona Complete Health-Long Term Care, United HealthCare Community Plan
• Southern GSA: Arizona Complete Health-Long Term Care, Banner-University Family Care, Mercy Care (Pima County only), and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

As a next step, AHCCCS will begin meeting with the awarded health plans to ensure operational readiness for October 1, 2025.

AHCCCS has developed the ALTCS-EPD Contracts FAQ document and will be preparing more detailed information for members, providers and the public.