ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HB 2640: appropriations; services providers; reimbursement rates

Sponsor: Representative Martinez, LD 16

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Appropriates monies to the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) to provide reimbursement rate increases for services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

History

DES provides an array of services for low-income households and others in need. These services are provided through the following divisions: 1) Division of Aging and Adult Services; 2) Division of Developmental Disabilities; 3) Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility; 4) Child Support Services; 5) Division of Child Care; 6) Division of Aging and Adult Services; and 7) Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services.

Home and community-based services may be provided in a member's home, at an alternative residential setting or at other behavioral health alternative residential facilities that are licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) and approved by the Director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). These services include: 1) home health; 2) licensed health aide services; 3) home health aide; 4) homemaker; 5) personal care; 6) day care for persons with IDD; 7) habilitation; 8) respite care; 9) transportation; 10) home delivered meals; and 11) other services or licensed or certified settings approved by the AHCCCS Director (A.R.S. § 36-2939).

Provisions

1. Appropriates the following amounts from the listed sources in FY 2025 to DES to provide reimbursement rate increases for services to the following populations:

a) $13,000,000 from the state General Fund (GF) and an unspecified amount in Medicaid expenditure authority for home and community-based services to individuals with IDD; and

b) $2,000,000 from the state GF to the state funded Arizona Long-Term Care Fund for room and board services for individuals with IDD. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires DES to provide reimbursement rate increases for home and community-based services provided to individuals with IDD so that each service, other than nursing and therapy services, receives an increase. (Sec. 1)

3. Instructs DES to engage community stakeholders regarding the agency's plans to increase the reimbursement rates before implementing the provider rate increases. (Sec. 1)

4. Directs DES to report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee the increased provider rates by September 1, 2024. (Sec. 1)

5. Requires DES to implement the increased provider rates by October 1, 2024. (Sec. 1)

6. Deems it is the intent of the Legislature to consider the appropriation for DES to provide reimbursement rate increases for services to individuals with IDD as ongoing funding in future years. (Sec. 1)

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10. HB 2640

11. Initials AG/KT Page 0 Health & Human Services

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