If enacted, this bill would amend current statutes related to the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) by introducing new requirements for the preadmission screening process. Specifically, it would require the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to adopt rules that establish a uniform preadmission screening instrument that assesses not only the functional, medical, nursing, social, and developmental needs of applicants but also their cognitive needs, which include prompting, monitoring, and supervising daily activities. The bill mandates that cognitive impairment and physical impairment be weighed equally if they result in similar levels of functional difficulty.

Additionally, the bill modifies the method of conducting preadmission screenings, requiring them to be performed in person unless the applicant or their representative requests a video or telephone assessment. It also removes the previous requirement for AHCCCS to provide notice regarding the purpose of the screening and the option for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Instead, it emphasizes the need for AHCCCS to attempt to conduct the assessment in the applicant's residence and to gather information from caregivers and others familiar with the applicant's care needs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-2936