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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
ALTCS; preadmission screening
Purpose
Requires Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) preadmission screening to be conducted telephonically or virtually, unless the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) determines it necessary to conduct the assessment in person or an in-person screening is requested. Transfers outlined preadmission screening responsibilities from the Department of Health Services (DHS) to AHCCCS.
Background
ALTCS is the management and delivery system of hospitalization, medical care, institutional services and home and community-based services to members through AHCCCS administration, program contractors and providers together with federal participation (A.R.S. § 36-2932).
Preadmission screening refers to a uniform statewide preadmission screening program conducted by AHCCCS in determining if a person has met eligibility criteria for institutional or home and community-based services through ALTCS. AHCCCS utilizes a uniform preadmission screening instrument to assess the functional, medical, nursing, social and developmental needs of the applicant for ALTCS services in making this determination (A.R.S. § 36-2936).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires preadmission screening for ALTCS home and community-based services to be conducted telephonically or virtually, unless AHCCCS determines it necessary to conduct the assessment in person or the applicant or their representative requests it to be in person.
2. Requires AHCCCS to inform applicants that they or their representative may request accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide notice to applicants of the purpose of preadmission screening, which is to conduct a meaningful review of an applicant's:
a) medical needs;
b) functional capacity;
c) social and developmental needs; and
d) emotional and cognitive behaviors.
3. Directs AHCCCS, rather than DHS, to:
a) conduct the level II preadmission screening review of an applicant, if the initial screening indicates they may be mentally ill, using a level II screening instrument developed by AHCCCS;
b) receive notification from a nursing care institution of a member residing in the institution who is mentally ill and has experienced a significant change in physical or mental condition; and
c) conduct a subsequent level II screening review of said member within the required time frame after receiving the notification.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
HHS 2/7/22 DPA 9-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/17/22 57-1-2
Prepared by Senate Research
February 28, 2022
MM/CC/sr