acute care services; pilot program

HB 2180 establishes a three-year pilot program in Arizona allowing licensed hospitals to provide intensive medical care (acute care) to patients in their homes. It directly affects eligible Arizona hospitals that meet specific equipment and protocol requirements, including using mobile paramedics with community paramedicine certification and physician supervision. Key provisions include waiving certain regulations for home-based care delivery, permitting virtual or in-person services (except for required twice-daily patient assessments), and requiring hospitals to report program outcomes. The pilot, set to end December 31, 2028, aligns with federal Medicare/Medicaid program standards and mandates specific protocols for patient eligibility and service delivery.