SB 1158
Initials AF Page 1 Appropriations
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
First Regular Session
Senate: APPROP DP 8-2-0-0 | HHS DP 7-0-0-0 | 3
rd
Read 22-5-3-0
SB 1158: AHCCCS; naturopathic physicians
Sponsor: Senator Shope, LD 16
Committee on Appropriations
Overview
Adds naturopathic physicians to the definition of physician for the Arizona Health Care Cost
Containment System (AHCCCS), subject to approval by the federal Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS).
History
Naturopathic medicine is a medical system of diagnosing and treating diseases and other
conditions, including by natural means, drugless methods, nonsurgical methods, devices and
other measures (A.R.S. § 32-1501). Naturopathic physicians are licensed to practice naturopathic
medicine by the Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board after meeting qualifications for licensure
(A.R.S. 32-1522).
For AHCCCS coverage, a physician is defined as an individual who is licensed as a doctor of
medicine or a doctor of osteopathy (A.R.S. § 36-2901).
Provisions
1. Expands the definition of physician for AHCCCS to include naturopathic physicians licensed
by the Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board. (Sec. 1, 2)
2. Contains a conditional enactment on October 1 of the year following approval by CMS,
provided doctors of naturopathic medicine are approved as service providers by CMS by
October 1, 2026. (Sec. 3)
3. Requires AHCCCS to notify Legislative Council by November 1, 2026, either:
a) The date of approval by CMS; or
b) That CMS did not approve AHCCCS's request. (Sec. 3)
4. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☒ Fiscal Note