ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session
	House: HHS DPA 9-0-0-0

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HB 2088: ALTCS; preadmission screening

Sponsor: Representative Osborne, LD 13

Caucus & COW

Overview

Requires preadmission screening for Arizona Long Term Care Services (ALTCS) home and community-based services to be conducted telephonically, unless the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment (AHCCCS) determines it necessary to conduct in person.

History

The ALTCS system includes the management and delivery of hospitalization, medical care, institutional services and home and community-based services to members through AHCCCS, program contractors and providers. AHCCCS maintains the full operational responsibility for the system and those responsibilities are outlined in statute (A.R.S. § 36-2932).

The Director of AHCCCS is required to adopt rules establishing a uniform statewide preadmission screening program to determine if an individual meets eligibility criteria for institutional services or home and community-based services. These rules establish a uniform preadmission screening instrument that assesses the functional, medical, nursing, social and developmental needs of the applicant. A person must have a nonpsychiatric medical condition or have a developmental disability, that by itself or in combination with other medical conditions, necessitates the level of care that is provided in a nursing facility or intermediate care facility (A.R.S. § 36-2936).

Provisions

1. Requires preadmission screening for ALTCS home and community-based services to be conducted telephonically, unless AHCCCS determines it necessary to conduct the assessment in person. (Sec. 1)

2. Directs a nursing care institution to notify AHCCCS, rather than the Department of Health Services (DHS), for a person who is mentally ill about any significant changes that occurs in the physical or mental condition of the member residing there within ten working days. (Sec. 1)

3. Shifts the responsibility to AHCCCS, rather than DHS, to conduct a subsequent level II screening review of the member. (Sec. 1)

4. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

Amendments

Committee on Health and Human Services

1. Requires preadmission screening for ALTCS home and community-based services to be conducted telephonically, virtually or in-person if the applicant requests an in-person assessment.

2. Directs AHCCCS to provide notice to applicants regarding the purpose of preadmission screening.

3. Specifies that the notice must inform applicants that the applicant or their representative may request an in-person assessment and accommodations under the American with Disabilities Act.

4. Makes technical changes.

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8.                   HB 2088

9. Initials AG Page 0 Caucus & COW

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