In March 2004, Governor Janet Napolitano issued Executive Order 2004-07 to create a plan to prepare the state for the significant changes that will occur with the increase in the state’s aging population during the next 15 years. The attached plan is the initial step towards ensuring that Arizona communities are good places for people of all ages to live with independence, purpose, and dignity. The approaches set forth provide a comprehensive set of strategies that state agencies propose to implement in the coming decade to address the changing demographics and ensure that Arizona is indeed ready for significant growth in its aging population.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As a subset of the larger rural provider interview project, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment Administration interviewed a small group of rural employers and employee benefit specialists who were considered to be major purchasers of health care in their rural communities. The project goals were to gain 1) a better understanding of the strategies used by these employers to ensure accessible and affordable coverage for their employees as well as themselves and 2) an insight as to the barriers these purchasers faced in providing health care to their employees.