HB 2491
Initials AG Page 1 Health & Human Services
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
HB 2491: ALTCS eligibility; psychiatric conditions
Sponsor: Representative Hernandez C, LD 21
Committee on Health & Human Services
Overview
Requires a person to have a psychiatric condition, medical condition or a developmental
disability, by itself or a combination with other medical or psychiatric conditions, to be
eligible for Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) institutional services or home and
community-based services.
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
administration, program contractors and providers. AHCCCS maintains the full operational
responsibility for the ALTCS system and those responsibilities are outlined in statute (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. 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. 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.
Preadmission screening is conducted telephonically or virtually, unless AHCCCS determines
it is necessary to conduct the assessment in person or the applicant being screened or their
representative requests an in-person assessment. AHCCCS must provide notice to applicants
that the purpose of preadmission screening is to conduct a meaningful review of an
applicant's medical needs, functional capacity, social and developmental needs and emotional
and cognitive behaviors. The notice must inform applicants that the applicant or their
representative may request an in person assessment and may request accommodations in
the preadmission screening process under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
(A.R.S. § 36-2936).
Provisions
1. Requires a person to have a psychiatric condition, a medical condition or a developmental
disability, by itself or in combination with other medical or psychiatric conditions,
necessitates the level of care that is provided in a nursing facility or intermediate care
facility to be eligible for ALTCS institutional services or home and community-based
services.
2. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note