Members

Understanding Your Care

Try not to be nervous to ask your health provider questions. Your medical team wants you to let them know that you need help. If you still do not understand the information that you are given, let your doctor, nurse or pharmacist know you need further explanation.

For more information, call Member Services toll-free at 1-800-322-8670, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. TTY/TTD users can call 711. You may also contact us by e-mail at HCHComments@azblue.com.

Health Choice Member Language Services Flyer

Translation and Interpreter Services

If there is a doctor that is close to your home and speaks your language, we will assign that doctor as your primary care provider (PCP). You may always call to change your PCP and ask for another doctor with an office in your area.

If English is not your first language, or you are deaf or hard of hearing, there are services to use during your health care appointments.  These services are available at no cost to you. Please do not use a family member to interpret information.

All providers are expected to offer and deliver language services to Health Choice Members by a qualified interpreter, signer (ASL) and/or translator. The provider will provide language assistance by a qualified staff or vendor upon request.  It is always a good practice to let the provider know your language needs when scheduling your appointment.

Health Choice also provides interpretation and translation services when you are communicating with a Health Choice staff member.  This is available at no cost to you.    If you need an interpreter or signer (ASL) when communicating with a person who works at Health Choice (member services, complaints, care management,) then let us know.  We can arrange for these services when you call Health Choice Member Services. All Health Choice materials are translated in English and Spanish.  If you need these materials in another language, Health Choice Member Services can help you.

Member Language Services
English | Spanish | Arabic | Bosnian | Chinese | Farsi | Hindi | Romanian | Urdo | Vietnamese

Quick Reference Tips

If you need an interpreter (remote or in person) or a signer (ASL services) for your provider visit, call your provider.
Let your provider know that they will need to arrange an interpreter (remote or in person) or a signer (ASL services) when you schedule your appointment or 4 days before  your appointment.

If you need an interpreter (over the telephone) when communicating with Health Choice staff (Member Services, Complaints, Claims, or Case Management), call Health Choice Member Services.
You can ask for an interpreter before your appointment or as soon as you contact Health Choice Member Services.

If you need Health Choice materials translated, Call Health Choice Member Services.
All of Health Choice materials are available in English and Spanish.  Other languages are available upon request at no cost to you.

To communicate by phone for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have speech or language disabilities:
Contact Arizona Relay Services (711)
Telephone relay, or TTY/TDD, is a free public service

Health & Wellness Programs

Stork Program

Pregnant women can register for our Stork Program and receive information and guidance from our maternity nurses to help them have a healthy pregnancy.

Member Services
1-800-828-7514.

Health Kids & Families

Taking your children to the doctor for well-child visits and shots is one of the most important things you can do to keep them from getting very sick.

Member Services
1-800-322-8670.

More Information

Adult BCBSAZ Health Choice

Seeing your doctor for regular checkups and health screenings is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy.

Member Services
1-800-322-8670.

More Information

AHCCCS: Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System
ALTCS: Arizona Long Term Care System
AzEIP: Arizona Early Intervention Program
CRS: Children Rehabilitative Services
DDD: Division of Developmental Disabilities
DES: Department of Economic Security
EPSDT: Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment
HIPPA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
NARBHA: Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority
PCP: Primary Care Physician
PPC: Prior Period Coverage – member was or is in transitional period with regard to coverage while AHCCCS completes the enrollment process
QMB: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
RBHA: Regional Behavioral Health Authority
SOBRA: Sixth Omnibus Budget Health Authority
WIC: Women, Infants and Children (nutritional program)

Appeal – A formal complaint made where a member is not satisfied with a decision made by BCBSAZ Health Choice.
Behavioral Health Crisis – A situation where, without immediate help, you might hurt yourself or someone else.
Behavioral Health Services – Behavioral health services may include behavior management, group, family and individual therapy and counseling, and emergency/crisis services.
Co-payment – A small charge or fee due at the time covered services are provided.
Emergency – A situation where a person’s health, or the health of an unborn baby, could be threatened. Medical help is needed right away.
Grievance – A member’s expression of dissatisfaction with any part of their care. A grievance can be filed over the phone or in writing.
Health care Power of Attorney – Someone to whom you have given the authority to make health care decisions for you if you cannot make them (usually a close friend, relative or spouse).
High-risk pregnancy – A pregnancy for which the mother or baby may be at higher risk for illness or death.
Living Will – A document where you write what you want done with your health care. The doctor uses this if you are not able to express what you want. It lists specific treatments you do or do not want. It can also tell your doctor whether or not to make special efforts to save your life.
Mammogram – Screening exam for breast cancer. Recommended for women over the age of 35.
Managed Care – A health plan that works like an HMO. Covered services are provided by providers who contract with the health plan.
Maternity care – Includes medically necessary pregnancy counseling, pregnancy testing, prenatal care, labor and delivery services, as well as care after delivery.
Maternity care coordination – Coordination of the mother’s needs to ensure she and her baby receive all the necessary care for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Medical Necessity – This term refers to the need for health care services or products that a doctor would give to a patient to prevent, diagnose, or treat an illness, injury, disease or its symptoms in a way that follows generally accepted standards for medicine and is not just for the convenience of the patient, physician or other health care provider.
Member – An eligible person enrolled in BCBSAZ Health Choice.
Personal Health Information (PHI) – PHI includes information about a member’s health care, such as physical and mental health, as well as payments for health care.
Postpartum care – Health care provided to the mother for up to 60 days after delivery.
Practitioner – Generally, refers to a certified nurse practitioner, midwife, or physician assistant.
Prenatal care – Health care provided during the pregnancy.
Prescription – A doctor’s written instructions for medication or treatment.
Primary Care Physician (PCP) – The doctor who treats the member directly. PCPs are usually family practitioners, internists or pediatricians.
Prior Authorization – Some medical procedures, surgeries, equipment and services require your primary care physician or specialist to contact BCBSAZ Health Choice prior to determining if this service is appropriate for your care.
Provider – A person or facility that provides health care services and treatment such as a doctor, pharmacy, dentist, clinic or hospital.
Referral – Your primary care physician (PCP) may be required to you or your family member a referral for certain specialists or procedures. The referral can take the form of a document that you must bring to the specialist or facility that your PCP has referred you to. The referral tells the specialist or facility that you have seen the PCP for your condition and that additional health care services may be recommended. The referral also tells BCBSAZ Health Choice that your PCP has referred you to a specialist or facility in the BCBSAZ Health Choice network.
Seriously and Persistently Mentally Ill (SPMI) – Any person who, as a result of a serious mental disorder, has emotions or behaviors that prevent them from performing everyday activities.
Special Health Care Needs – Patients who have serious and chronic physical, developmental or behavioral conditions who require a special type or amount of care.
Specialist – Any doctor who has special training for a specific condition or illness.
Urgent Care – Care provided to patients when their condition is not life threatening, but cannot wait until the next business day for treatment.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) – A community program that provides food, nutrition counseling and access to health services to low income women, infants and children.