Two-year-old children enrolled in the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Arizona’s state Medicaid program, have higher rates of completed immunizations than children enrolled in other Medicaid managed care programs across the nation, as well as those covered by commercial health plans.
In a recently completed study, the rate of Medicaid-eligible children with complete immunizations for 10 childhood diseases by 24 months of age was 81.4%, compared with an average of 73.4% for Medicaid health plans nationally & 79.8% for commercial plans. The rate of AHCCCS-covered children enrolled under the Child Health Insurance Program, known as KidsCare, was 88.4%. The current AHCCCS rates represent all-time highs & also exceed the “Healthy People 2010” objective set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recommending that 80% of children be fully vaccinated with a series of 5 vaccines that protect against 9 diseases, such as diphtheria, whopping cough, measles, hepatitis B virus & chicken pox.
The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI) recognized AHCCCS with the 2008 “Long Shot” Award for removing barriers to childhood immunization. In late 2005, AHCCCS initiated a project to increase the number of primary care physicians who report immunizations administered to children to the Arizona State Immunization Information System, the state electronic immunization registry. The registry helps health plans and providers identify children who are not up to date on immunizations & encourage their families to have them vaccinated.
“We are proud of AHCCCS staff & its health plan contractors for outstanding efforts when it comes to preventing childhood disease,” says Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. “Childhood immunizations are proven to protect children against serious or even life-threatening diseases, which ultimately saves Arizona money in health care costs & ensures a healthier workforce in the future. Arizona is proud of AHCCCS, its health plans & physicians who work with those plans for investing in Arizona by keeping our children healthy.”