Mercy Healthcare Arizona, Inc. v. Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

In Mercy Healthcare Arizona, Inc. v. Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, 181 Ariz. 95, 887 P.2d 625 (App. 1994), the Court held that the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) must cover services for treatment so long as the absence of immediate treatment for a medical condition manifested by an acute symptom could reasonably be expected to result in (a) placing the patient's health in serious jeopardy, (b) serious impairment to bodily functions, or (c) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. 181 Ariz. at 98-99, 887 P.2d at 628-29. In Mercy, a factual dispute existed as to when the patient no longer required immediate medical attention. Id. at 99, 887 P.2d at 629. The patient in Mercy had a gastrointestinal tube for feeding and a tracheostomy at the time he was transferred from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility. Id. at 97, 887 P.2d at 627.