AHCCCS Consulting - Arizona's Most Experienced Medicaid Managed Care Firm
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is the most complex publicly-funded health care system in Arizona — covering nearly 2 million Arizonans through a managed care model, with distinct programs for general Medicaid, long-term services and supports (ALTCS), children’s behavioral health, and specialty populations including SMI, SED, and dual eligibles. Navigating AHCCCS requires more than familiarity. It requires institutional knowledge built over years of direct engagement at every level of the system.
Hess III Consulting has worked inside Arizona’s AHCCCS system since 2007. We have supported every major AHCCCS-contracted managed care organization, produced ADHS-commissioned evaluations that are publicly available on state websites, led the clinical and operational implementation of the largest AHCCCS contract in state history, and authored Quality Service Reviews for ADHS’ behavioral health division. When AHCCCS changes, our clients know before almost anyone else — because we’ve been in the room as it happened.
+ Years Supporting AHCCCS and Providers
Billion AHCCCS Contract Value Managed
Million AHCCCS Covered Lives Impacted
AHCCCS Providers Served
What We Do For AHCCCS Managed Care Organizations
- Member, Family, Provider and Community Stakeholder engagement, listening sessions and focus groups.
- AHCCCS procurement strategy, capture planning, and Medicaid RFP development — 92% win rate
- Contract Implementation, readiness reviews and compliance.
- ACC-RBHA, ALTCS, D-SNP, DD, DCS-CHP, KidsCare, and specialty behavioral health contract strategy
- Model of care design, clinical protocol development, and value-based payment strategy for AHCCCS populations
- Network development and provider contracting strategy aligned with AHCCCS requirements
- AHCCCS AMPM policy compliance and regulatory navigation
- NCQA accreditation


What We Do For AHCCCS Contracted Providers
- ADHS licensure preparation, compliance auditing, and corrective action plan resolution
- AHCCCS provider enrollment and credentialing support
- MCO contracting strategy — Mercy Care, Arizona Complete Health, Health Choice, Molina, United Community and State, Care 1st
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Center strategy and planning
- Federally Qualified Health Center contracting and LEAN Operations
- SMI Health Home implementation and AHCCCS Health Home program navigation
- Corporate storytelling, brand positioning and strategic communications.
What We Do For Government and Regulatory Partners
- Independent 360-degree evaluation of AHCCCS-funded systems of care
- Psychiatric Crisis System design and re-design
- Adult System of Care design and re-design
- Children's System of Care design and re-design
- Justice System Re-entry design and re-design
- ADHS Quality Service Review methodology and facilitation
- AHCCCS program design and system reform strategy
- Stakeholder engagement and multi-agency coordination

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Frequently Asked Questions
What is AHCCCS and how does it work?
AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) is Arizona’s Medicaid program, covering nearly 2 million Arizonans. It operates through a managed care model in which private health plans (MCOs) manage care for enrolled members. AHCCCS contracts with ACC-health plans for integrated physical and behavioral health, ALTCS for long-term care, DD health plans for developmental disabilities, the DCS-CHP health plan for children and youth involved in childwelfare, and RBHA specialty plans for populations including SMI adults, SED children, and dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibles. Hess III Consulting has worked within the AHCCCS system since 2007 and has supported every major AHCCCS-contracted managed care organization.
How do I become an AHCCCS provider in Arizona?
Becoming an AHCCCS provider requires completing the AHCCCS online provider enrollment application, obtaining any required ADHS Public Health licensure for your service type, completing credentialing with each MCO you intend to contract with (Mercy Care, Arizona Complete Health, United Community and State, Molina Healthcare, Health Choice, and/or Care 1st, depending on your geographic service area (GSA)/location, and meeting AHCCCS AMPM policy requirements for your service category. Hess III Consulting has guided dozens of Arizona providers through this process and offers full enrollment, credentialing, and MCO contracting support.
How do I contract with Arizona’s Medicaid managed care organizations?
Contracting with Arizona’s Medicaid MCOs requires AHCCCS provider enrollment, ADHS Public Health licensure (for behavioral health services), and individual contracting with each ACC-RBHA plan: Mercy Care Plan (Central GSA — Maricopa County), Arizona Complete Health (Southern GSA), and Care 1st Health Plan (Northern GSA). Hess III Consulting provides end-to-end MCO contracting support, from AHCCCS enrollment through executed provider agreements.
Connect with Us
We love getting to know good people doing good things. Reach out and schedule a free consultation. We'll gladly share early insights and help figure out how we can best support you and your organization. Absolutely no commitment required.
- (480-559-1051
- info@hess3.com