If enacted, this bill would amend current statutes related to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) by introducing new provisions that require the AHCCCS Director to apply annually for waivers and amendments to the current Section 1115 waiver. Specifically, the Director would seek authorization for payments for covered services provided to American Indian or Alaskan native members by Indian Health Services (IHS) facilities or tribal facilities that were previously eliminated, reduced, or limited in the Medicaid State Plan since September 2010. This includes payments for necessary dental services. Additionally, the Director would only apply for waivers that have not yet been approved or are not already in effect.

The bill also includes a technical change to the language regarding the implementation of limited benefit coverage for incarcerated individuals, replacing "the individuals'" with "each individual's." Furthermore, it allows for payments for covered services provided to American Indian or Alaskan native members by IHS or tribal facilities upon approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, reiterating the focus on services that were previously limited in the state plan. Overall, these updates aim to enhance healthcare access for American Indian and Alaskan native populations within Arizona's Medicaid program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-2903.18, 36-2907, 93-638