HB 2668 Summary

• Establishes a new hospital assessment beginning October 1, 2020, administered by AHCCCS, in addition to the existing assessment under section 36-2901.08, based on hospital revenues, discharges, or bed days for inpatient or outpatient services.

• Creates the Health Care Investment Fund to receive assessment revenues and use them for directed payments to hospitals, provider rate increases (dental and physician services up to $70.5 million or 20% of assessment funds), and administrative costs (up to 1% of assessment funds).

• Prohibits hospitals from passing assessment costs to patients or third-party payors and requires hospitals to provide annual attestations confirming compliance with this requirement.

• Allows AHCCCS director to establish modifications and exemptions from the assessment based on hospital size, specialty services, and geographic location, subject to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approval.

• Provides for automatic repeal of the assessment and refund of fund monies to hospitals if CMS determines the assessment is no longer eligible for federal financial participation.