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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
AHCCCS; chiropractic care; report
Purpose
Adds medically necessary chiropractic services prescribed by a primary care physician or practitioner to the health and medical services covered by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).
Background
AHCCCS
contracts with health professionals to provide medically necessary health and
medical services to eligible members. Currently, AHCCCS contractors are
required to provide:
1) inpatient hospital services; 2) outpatient health services; 3) laboratory and
X-ray services;
4) prescription medications; 5) medical supplies, durable medical equipment,
insulin pumps and prosthetic devices; 6) treatment of medical conditions of the
eye; 7) early and periodic health screening and diagnostic services; 8) family planning
services; 9) podiatry services;
10) nonexperimental transplants; 11) emergency dental care; 12) ambulance and
nonambulance transportation; 13) hospice care; and 14) orthotics (A.R.S.
§ 36-2907).
Chiropractic services is the nonsurgical and noninvasive treatment of neck and back pain through physiotherapy, musculoskeletal manipulation and other physical corrections of musculoskeletal conditions within the scope of the chiropractic practice (A.R.S. § 20-1057.03).
There is an unknown anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation due to the potential utilization of prescribed chiropractic services.
Provisions
1. Requires AHCCCS to provide medically necessary chiropractic services performed by a licensed chiropractor and ordered by a primary care physician or practitioner, subject to approval by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and rules adopted by AHCCCS.
2. Allows a primary care physician or practitioner to:
a) order up to 20 medically necessary chiropractic visits annually; and
b) request authorization for additional chiropractic services in that same year if medically necessary.
3. Requires AHCCCS to:
a) prescribe provider qualifications for chiropractic services;
b) report on chiropractic service utilization and any identified cost savings;
c) submit the report, by January 21, 2024, on its findings to the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
d) provide a copy of the report to the Secretary of State.
4. Repeals AHCCCS chiropractic reporting requirements on July 1, 2024.
5. Prohibits monies from the Hospital Assessment Fund from being used to provide chiropractic services.
6. Makes conforming changes.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 8, 2021
CRS/JP/kja