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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
AHCCCS; cochlear implants
Purpose
Requires the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to cover the costs of cochlear implants for eligible persons who are at least 21 years old.
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 and outpatient hospital services; 2) laboratory and X-ray
services; 3) prescription medications; 4) medical supplies, durable medical
equipment, insulin pumps and prosthetic devices, excluding cochlear implants;
5) treatment of medical conditions of the eye; 6) early and periodic health
screening and diagnostic services; 7) family planning services; 8) podiatry
services; 9) nonexperimental transplants; 10) emergency dental care; 11)
ambulance and nonambulance transportation; 12) hospice care; 13) orthotics; and
14) diabetes outpatient self-management training services (A.R.S.
§ 36-2907).
The Hospital Assessment Fund consists of monies collected from an
assessment of hospital revenues, discharges or bed days for the purpose of
supplementing AHCCCS funding from the Proposition 204 Protection Account and
Arizona Tobacco Litigation Settlement Fund (A.R.S.
§ 36-2901.09).
A cochlear implant is an electronic device that improves hearing. It can be an option for people who have severe hearing loss from inner-ear damage who are not able to hear well with hearing aids. A cochlear implant bypasses damaged portions of the ear to deliver sound signals to the hearing nerve (Mayo Clinic).
If there is a cost associated with providing cochlear implant services through AHCCCS, there may be a fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Removes, from AHCCCS-covered health and medical services, the exclusion of cochlear implants for persons who are at least 21 years old.
2. Prohibits monies from the Hospital Assessment Fund from being used to provide cochlear implants to eligible persons who are at least 21 years old.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 6, 2023
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