AZ HB2221

Amends A.R.S. § 23-1062.01 to clarify that insurance carriers and self-insured employers must make billing payment determinations within 30 days and that subsequent or corrective billings do not restart the 24-month limitations period for submitting medical bills or commencing court action.

Amends A.R.S. § 23-1062.02 to require physicians to automatically submit inquiries to the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy's controlled substances monitoring program within two business days of writing or dispensing an initial opioid prescription for at least 30 days' supply.

Requires physicians to report monitoring program results to the carrier, self-insured employer, or commission as soon as practicable but no later than 30 days, with subsequent inquiries limited to once every two months at the request of the carrier or commission.

Mandates physicians report within five business days if monitoring results reveal the employee is receiving opioids from undisclosed providers or if drug tests show inconsistent results, and requires a treatment plan addressing such inconsistencies.

Allows carriers or employers to request a physician change if the physician fails to comply with monitoring requirements, and requires payment of the employee's reasonable travel expenses if other compliant pain management providers are unavailable in the employee's area.