Cochise County board approves amendment to ACCESS jail-health contract to update SFY2026 rates

COCHISE COUNTY, Ariz. — The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted Jan. 20 to approve Amendment No. 8 to contract YH16-0018-13 between the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (ACCESS) and Cochise County Detention Health Services to revise rates for state fiscal year 2026 and make a minor language update.

Miss Kennedy, presenting the item to the board, said the amendment updates SFY2026 rates and corrects user-access portal information. "I'm respectfully requesting your approval of the amendment number 8 to the [agreement] between Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, which is ACCESS, and Cochise County Detention Health Services," she said. She added the language change is minor and specific to an address change for some user access portals.

The amendment covers state fiscal year 2026, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and the board recorded the approval by voice vote. The board previously approved a separate consent agenda item earlier in the meeting covering prudent demands and budget amendments for operating transfers; both items passed by recorded counts of two in favor, none opposed, with one member absent.

Kennedy described operational effects of the ACCESS agreement as it applies to people who enter the county jail: the original agreement — she said — dates to 2012 and "allows for individuals that come into Cochise County Jail for their access that they have in place at the time of their incarceration to be suspended rather than terminated." She said that suspension and reinstatement on release helps reduce delays in care and supports community reentry. She further noted that the agreement "also allows us to be charged at the fee for service rate for any individuals that are incarcerated, that are hospitalized as well," and called that "a huge discount."

Board discussion on the item was limited to clarifying questions. The motion to approve Amendment No. 8 carried by voice vote, recorded as "Motion carries 2 0 with 1" (one member absent). The board then announced a future special meeting date and adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- Item 1 (Consent agenda: prudent demands and budget amendments for operating transfers): Approved, recorded as 2–0 with one member absent. - Item 2 (Amendment No. 8 to contract YH16-0018-13 between ACCESS and Cochise County Detention Health Services, SFY2026 rates and minor language updates, effective 07/01/2025–06/30/2026): Approved, recorded as 2–0 with one member absent.

Background

The contract at issue is between ACCESS (the state's health care cost containment system for certain public programs) and Cochise County Detention Health Services; the amendment updates administrative language (an address change for user portals) and adjusts rates for the upcoming state fiscal year. According to the presenter, the original agreement was established in 2012 and governs how benefits and billing are handled for people during incarceration and for hospitalized detained individuals.