The bill SB1598 appropriates $5 million from the state General Fund for fiscal year 2025 to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to provide up to three months of institutional services and home and community-based services (HCBS) to individuals who have not yet been determined eligible for coverage under the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS). The bill allows AHCCCS to deliver these services through a program contractor and permits the administration to allocate up to 10% of the funds for administrative purposes. Additionally, the appropriation is exempt from lapsing and from statutory rulemaking requirements for one year to facilitate the implementation of transitional ALTCS services.

Key differences from current law include the explicit appropriation of funds for transitional services, the allowance for administrative cost coverage, and the stipulation that the appropriation does not create an entitlement for individuals to receive specific services or require AHCCCS to exceed the allocated amount. The bill also clarifies that the services provided under this appropriation are limited to a maximum of three months and establishes that AHCCCS is not obligated to provide services beyond the specified funding.