AHCCCS; behavioral health rate study

This bill requires the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System to conduct an annual study of behavioral health reimbursement rates every five years to ensure they are adequate and appropriate. The study must evaluate factors such as inflation, labor costs, workforce shortages, and service availability, with results reported to the legislative budget committee by October 1 each year. Additionally, the bill mandates that by December 1, 2024, the agency submit a complete report assessing the impact of fraudulent claims from the previous five years. These provisions aim to provide data-driven insights for setting future payment rates for behavioral health providers without altering current funding policies unless approved by the legislature.