Supervisor wants answers about state contractor’s slow payments to health providers
A Mohave County Board of Supervisors vote on a program agreement to provide housing for homeless and seriously mentally ill people will be delayed because the state contractor providing the services is accused of slow and non-payment to area doctors for services to low-income patients.
Documents available on the AHCCCS website show Heath Care Arizona received sanctions in the amount of $21,065 in November for failing to resolve 2,122 pended encounters within 120 calendar days of the processing date.
Health Choice Arizona attempted to make payment to several area health providers on Friday, but it wasn’t clear if the payments were rescinded or if the company was unable to transfer the funds, Wakimoto said.
“I got a text from HCA Vice President Pat Hansen,” Benedict said. “It said, ‘The (payment) problem had to do with our corporate office changing bank accounts over to Steward. They were unable to get the money reissued to the provider accounts yesterday (Friday) due to the weekend, but will be in your account Tuesday.’ I have called five other doctors’ wives and they all had rescinded payments as well.”
Wakimoto said, “I am trying to determine if there was a glitch, if the company is targeting rural Arizona and metro Arizona got paid, or if it was a statewide glitch. I would encourage any health provider in Mohave County who is having trouble with payment from Health Choice Arizona text me at 928-715-0165.”
Small Town News 