Unwinding the Public Health Emergency
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the federal government declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE). Since then, Medicaid programs like AHCCCS and KidsCare have automatically renewed, even if a member’s eligibility changed. The PHE is expected to end later this year, which means that some individuals on AHCCCS/KidsCare may need to reapply to keep their medical coverage or update their contact information to stay informed.
At NOAH, nearly half of our patients (40%) are covered by AHCCCS/KidsCare which calculates to 18,000 NOAH patients who will likely be impacted. Community Resources is working now, ahead of this transition, to ensure all patients have current contact information on file with NOAH and AHCCCS.
How You Can Help
When you engage with someone on AHCCCS/KidsCare, connect them to Community Resources by submitting a referral or request for telephone encounter (reason: patient outreach, comments: PHE).
Walk-Ins Welcome
Community Resources Specialists at Desert Mission and Palomino are now taking walk-ins for enrollment services including AHCCCS and SNAP, as well as Sliding Fee Scale.
Integrated Care
As part of NOAH’s Integrated Care Model, Community Resources Specialists at Desert Mission, Palomino, and Midtown are working alongside the clinical team screening patients for Social Determinants of Health. Patients in need of our Community Resources services can be connected to resources and/or enrollment support without even leaving the exam room.
In turn, Community Resources Specialists are also working with their existing patients to connect them with scheduling other NOAH services including medical, dental, and behavioral health.
Meet the Team
Perla Avila | Community Resource Manager
Perla is responsible for evaluating social determinants of health as it relates to calls coming into the PEC, patient visits with NOAH providers, and incoming referrals. She also manages NOAH’s partnerships with the food bank and Veyo transportation service.
Crystal Medina | Community Resource Manager
Crystal is responsible for outreach, eligibility, and enrollment. She helps patients and community members enroll in public programs including Medicaid (AHCCCS), Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Health Insurance Marketplace and NOAH’s Sliding Fee Scale program.
To contact Perla or Crystal or if you have a referral, email them at NOAHCRMANAGEMENT@Honorhealth.com.
