AZ SB1450

Requires the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to contract with an independent consulting firm for annual studies of Title XIX reimbursement rates for behavioral health service providers.

Mandates that a complete reimbursement rate study be conducted at least once every five years, with results reported to the joint legislative budget committee by October 1 each year.

Specifies nine minimum factors that the rate study must consider, including medical care inflation, behavioral health workforce shortages, state minimum wage comparisons, service access times, and actual delivery costs by service type.

Requires AHCCCS to report to the joint legislative budget committee within 30 days if study results are not fully incorporated into capitation rates, explaining any differences between the recommended and final rates.

Limits capitation rate adjustments to utilization of existing services and inflation, unless policy changes have been approved by the legislature or are required by federal law or court mandate.

Directs AHCCCS to deliver a complete behavioral health reimbursement rate study to the governor and legislature by December 1, 2024, including an assessment of fraudulent claims from the preceding five years.