If a person applying for behavioral health services says he/she is not a U.S. citizen, should I ask if he/she is in the country legally or illegally and report accordingly?
No. The Health – e- Arizona prescreen module does not include that question and DBHS does not require employees of the RBHA or its contracted providers to ask that question of an applicant. The document, ADHS/DBHS Guidelines to the RBHAs and Providers for Reporting Requirements in A.R.S. § 1-502, states that a person must VOLUNTARILY state either verbally or in writing that they are not lawfully in the U.S. for a report to be required. RBHA and provider staff is expected to use the language provided as part of the Health e Arizona module for screening purposes to ensure that the necessary information is obtained, while avoiding unnecessary risks of engaging in discriminatory conduct in the process of soliciting the information. A list of accepted documents for verification is included with the guidance and is also located on the Health e Arizona module for use. If a person does not have any of the documents listed, they must be entered as OTHER—no further information is needed.
