Arizona State and Local Government Documents Collection

While virtually all children have contact with the health care system at some point, many problems may not be detected until children enter school. By offering low-income families and children access to health care and a regular point of contact, the AHCCCS program is uniquely positioned to provide high-quality, comprehensive preventive services that help assure the healthy development of children.

This report analyzes Contractor Performance Indicators in three perinatal areas: 1) Low Birth Weight Deliveries; 2) Prenatal Care in the First Trimester; 3) Initiation of Prenatal Care. The results of this analysis should be viewed as indicators of access to services, rather than absolute rates for how well AHCCCS and/or its Contractors provide care.

This report includes results for the measurement period from October 1, 2000, through September 30, 2001. Results of the indicators are reported in aggregate by urban (Maricopa and Pima counties) and rural areas, and by individual Contractors that provide services to Medicaid recipients.

This report includes Performance Indicators for services provided to children and adolescents enrolled with AHCCCS acute-care Contractors (health plans). The results reported here should be viewed as indicators of access to services, rather than absolute rates for how successfully AHCCCS and/or its Contractors provide care.

This report includes results for the measurement period from October 1, 2000, through September 30, 2001. Results of the indicators are reported in aggregate by urban (Maricopa and Pima counties) and the combined rural counties, as well as by individual Contractors. Results for the current measurement period are reported as a relative percentage change from the previous year. The report also indicates whether this change (increase or decrease) is statistically significant; that is, whether the change is probably true and not merely due to chance. The statistically significant value is calculated using the Pearson chi-square test.

In view of the increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in American youths, the Arizona Department of Education’s Health and Nutrition Services has taken the initiative to evaluate the nutritional content of competitive foods and beverages sold on school campuses in Arizona. This study also intends to evaluate the financial implications to schools when replacing foods and beverages found to be less nutritious with healthier choices.

The Team Nutrition Grant Project began in 2003 with the goal to guide and assist schools to create and maintain a coordinated, comprehensive school health program. Such a program integrates a school’s child nutrition programs, with the classroom, the community, and entire school environment. A coordinated, comprehensive school health program (CSHP) can be implemented to create a healthy school environment through a “model” nutrition policy. Using the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Team Nutrition’s Changing the Scene, A Guide to Local Action, the project proposed to implement the model at a state level by forming a state level coalition of key decision makers within the school environment.

Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) is the statewide, standards-based assessment. AIMS measures the performance of students, schools, and districts on academic standards in reading, writing, and mathematics and is administered to students in grades 3, 5, 8, and high school. The central components of standards-based education include a curriculum aligned to the Standards, instructional materials aligned to the Standards, and the evaluation of teachers to ensure the Standards are integrated into instructional practices. These components are the organizational foundation for successful student achievement of the skills and knowledge of the Standards.

This is the sixth annual assessment of influenza immunizations and pneumococcal vaccinations. This report analyzes Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) Contractor performance.

Results of this study were based on measurements of a select group of members who were continuously enrolled from September 1, 2001, through April 30, 2002. The results did not include members who were not eligible to receive Medicare, those who received acute care services only, those who enrolled into ALTCS after December 1, 2001, or those who expired during the measurement period.

Results for the current measurement period are reported as relative changes from the previous measurement period, where applicable. The report also indicates whether this change is statistically significant, that is, whether the change is probably true and not merely due to chance.

While this project measured whether members received a minimum of one Hb A1c test annually according to HEDIS criteria, clinical practice guidelines recommend Hb A1c testing at least twice a year for patients who have stable glycemic control and quarterly for patients who are not meeting glycemic goals. To further improve care and health outcomes for members with diabetes, Contractors should continue to focus on ensuring that members with diabetes receive Hb A1c tests and other preventive-care services at the recommended intervals.

The purpose of the Children’s Oral Health Performance Improvement Project (PIP) is to increase the rate of annual dental visits among AHCCCS members 3 through 20 years old, in order to make more progress toward AHCCCS and Healthy People 2010 goals. This project specifically focuses on children who are 3 through 8 years old, as this appears to be a critical time in a child’s life to ensure that he or she receives regular dental care. Contractors participating in this PIP include acute-care health plans, CMDP, DDD and health plans that serve elderly and physically disabled members through the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS).

Data for the project were collected from AHCCCS administrative data (i.e., records of claims paid by Contractors, known as encounters). The remeasurement period was the contract year from October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004.

The purpose of the Oral Health Performance Improvement Project (PIP) is to increase the rate of annual dental visits among AHCCCS members 3 through 20 years old, in order to make more progress toward AHCCCS and national Healthy People 2010 goals. As a first step, AHCCCS established a baseline measure of annual dental visits overall and by Contractor from which to measure improvement. This baseline measure also serves as the AHCCCS Annual Medical Audit.

Using methodology developed by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set, AHCCCS measured annual dental visits among members ages 3 through 8 (ages 3 through 20 years if enrolled in ALTCS) who were continuously enrolled during the measurement period. Data for the baseline measurement were collected from AHCCCS administrative data (i.e., records of claims paid by Contractors known as encounters). The measurement period was the contract year from October 1, 2001, through September 30, 2002.