Administrative Burdens
The Issue: Physicians are facing mounting administrative burdens that interfere with patient care through claims delays, claims denials, and excessive utilization review.
WHAT ArMA IS DOING:
ArMA actively supports policies that remove administrative barriers, promote insurer transparency, and improve the prior authorization process. Our goal is to create a system that does not hinder patient care, interfere with the practice of medicine, or impede the physician-patient relationship.
HB2444
(grievance process; payment methods; report)
Sponsor: Representative Steve Montenegro
Stance: ArMA-initiated & Priority
Summary: HB2444 will add delay of payment to the list of grievances that a clinician can file with the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions and mandates that DIFI posts an annual report regarding these grievances.This legislations opens the door for physicians to better utilize state law in pushing back on unfair delays in payment. It will also allow access to important data that will empower ArMA's success in future reforms.
HB2093
(health professionals; title use; prohibitions)
Sponsor: Representative Barbara Parker
Stance: Support
Summary: HB2093 closes an insurance denial loophole by amending the definition of emergency services to clarify that a"prudent layperson"with standard medical knowledge would agree that medical treatment is urgently needed.
OnTuesday,June18,GovernorKatieHobbssigned Arizona'sFiscalYear2024-25budgetafterweeksof negotiations,debate,andultimately,compromise.With aDemocraticgovernor,Republican-majoritylegislature, anda $1.4billiondeficit, thebudget'spassagewasno smallfeat.
The $16.1billionspendingplan addressedthestate's severeshortfallthroughreductionsandspecialfunds sweeps.Duetothebudgetcrisis,therewasnorealistic probabilityofsecuringmuchneededinvestmentsin medicaleducation,thehealthcareworkforce,and physicianreimbursement.Instead,thehealthcare communityunitedandwasabletomitigatesomeof theimpactsofthecutsandsweeps,whichisavictoryin itsownright.Still,thereweresignificantimpactsto healthcarethatwillbefeltforyearstocome.
I PublicAgency&EducationCuts I
Everystateagency,withtheexceptionoftheDepartment ofPublicSafetyandDepartmentofChildServices,saw afundingcutofroughly3.5%.Notably,highereducation tookasignificanthit,withcutsof $11millionforArizonaState University, $9millionfromNorthernArizonaUniversity,and $7millionfromUniversityofArizona,$1.5millionofwhichwill becutfromthe CollegeofHealthSciences.
