House Engrossed

 

acute care services; pilot program

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

2023

 

 

 

CHAPTER 90

 

HOUSE BILL 2042

 

An Act

 

amending Laws 2021, chapter 320, section 22, as amended by Laws 2022, chapter 140, section 1; relating to the acute care at home pilot program.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Laws 2021, chapter 320, section 22, as amended by Laws 2022, chapter 140, section 1, is amended to read:

START_STATUTESec. 22. Department of health services; acute care services at home; pilot program; delayed repeal

A. On or before the earlier of thirty days after the effective date of this section or September 1, 2021, the department of health services shall develop a three-year pilot program that allows the delivery of acute care services to patients in the patient's home by licensed hospitals in this state.  The department may waive rules necessary to implement the requirements of the pilot program.  The pilot program shall be designed in a manner and in coordination with the acute care at home program authorized by the centers for medicare and medicaid services.

B. In collaboration with interested hospitals in this state, the department shall determine:

1. The criteria necessary for a licensed hospital to be eligible for the pilot program.  Eligible hospitals must demonstrate the required in-person and telehealth equipment necessary to provide acute in-home services.

2. The protocols for eligible hospitals to determine patient eligibility in the program.

3. The protocols for health care services to be provided by or under the direction of eligible hospitals to patients in the program.

C. Hospitals participating in the pilot program may use applicable protocols determined by the department to set:

1. The patient eligibility criteria.

2. The categories of licensed health care providers that may be used.

3. The services that may be outsourced by the hospital.

4. The health care services to be provided by or under the direction of the hospital, which may at the option of the hospital include services of mobile paramedics.

D. For the purposes of the pilot program, a mobile paramedic:

1. Must have at least two years of experience as a paramedic and be certified in community paramedicine by a recognized certifying body before January 1, 2023.

2. Beginning January 1, 2023, must have at least two years of experience as a paramedic and be certified in community paramedicine by a recognized certifying body before being employed as a mobile paramedic.

3. Must provide health care services under the supervision and delegation of a physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17, Arizona Revised Statutes, and who works for the ambulance service that employs the mobile paramedic and is performing services for the hospital. The supervising physician is responsible for directing and reviewing the health care services and other activities of the mobile paramedic. A mobile paramedic's scope of practice is that which is delegated to the mobile paramedic by the supervising physician. A mobile paramedic may provide one or both of the twice-daily onsite patient assessment visits required pursuant to the pilot program, which may replace one or both of the required twice-daily onsite patient assessment visits by a registered nurse or advanced practice provider.

E. Nursing or other health care services provided pursuant to the pilot program, other than the twice-daily onsite patient assessment visits, may be virtual or in person.

F. The Arizona state board of pharmacy may waive rules necessary to implement the requirements of the pilot program.

G. Hospitals participating in the pilot program shall:

1. Report patient progress and program quality outcomes as required by the department.

2. Comply with any reporting requirements established by the Arizona state board of pharmacy for purposes of the pilot program.

H. This section is repealed from and after December 31, 2024 2026. END_STATUTE


 

 

 

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR APRIL 18, 2023.

 

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 18, 2023.