SB 1713: AHCCCS; procurement; contracting - Arizona

Senate Engrossed Version (02/26/2026) → Chaptered Version · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift its focus from a competitive procurement system for managed care organizations to a new program allowing pharmacists to independently order tests and prescribe treatments for specific conditions. This change removes the previous framework for evaluating and contracting with healthcare providers, replacing it with a protocol-driven model where pharmacists can treat illnesses like flu and strep, and prescribe HIV prevention medication without a doctor's direct consultation.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from regulating the procurement and performance of managed care contractors to establishing a new clinical authority for licensed pharmacists to perform independent testing and treatment.

SCOPE

Removed the entire framework for a performance-based procurement system, including definitions for contractors, operational readiness reviews, and the 'Arizona hybrid model' for selecting managed care organizations.

Expanded the pharmacist's scope of practice to include independent initiation and dispensing of HIV pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis medication.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new eligibility criteria allowing pharmacists to independently order tests and initiate treatment for specific conditions such as influenza, strep throat, and coronavirus, provided the patient is at least 12 years old.

REQUIREMENT

Added strict requirements for pharmacists, including the need for a statewide written protocol, mandatory patient consent for minors, notification of primary care providers within 72 hours, and the prohibition on using opioids for independent treatment.

FISCAL

Removed provisions related to Medicaid managed care contract caps, enrollment viability standards, and administrative cost adjustments for contractors.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a new Independent Testing and Treatment Advisory Committee to oversee the development of clinical protocols and included provisions for pharmacist liability insurance.

House Engrossed Version (06/11/2026) → Senate Engrossed Version (02/26/2026) · 6 edits · Jun 12, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift from a model allowing pharmacists to independently test and treat patients to a new framework for managing how the state selects healthcare contractors. The new version removes all provisions regarding pharmacist authority and instead establishes a 'hybrid model' that mandates selecting healthcare providers based on objective performance data over a four-year period rather than proposals.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from regulating individual pharmacist actions to regulating the state's procurement and contracting processes for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed all authority for pharmacists to independently order tests, initiate treatments for conditions like flu or strep, and prescribe HIV prevention medication without a physician.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the state use an 'Arizona hybrid model' to select healthcare contractors based on objective, measurable performance metrics rather than subjective proposals.

Eliminated requirements for pharmacists to notify primary care providers, maintain specific patient records, or display notices about independent testing.

TIMELINE

Established a four-year initial performance period to evaluate contractors before deciding whether to renew or terminate their contracts.

DEFINITION

Introduced new definitions for 'incumbent contractor' and 'nonincumbent contractor' to structure how the state manages existing versus new healthcare providers.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the oversight mechanism from a pharmacist advisory committee to an administrative review process focused on verifying that performance evaluations were calculated correctly.

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version (06/11/2026) · 6 edits · Jun 12, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift its focus from regulating managed care contractors to establishing new independent testing and treatment powers for pharmacists. The legislation now authorizes pharmacists to perform waived clinical tests, diagnose specific conditions like flu and strep, and initiate treatments for eligible patients without a prior physician consultation, while requiring strict documentation and referral protocols.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from governing the procurement and performance evaluation of managed care organizations to creating a new statutory framework for pharmacist-led independent testing and treatment services.

SCOPE

Removed all provisions related to the 'Arizona hybrid model' for selecting and evaluating managed care contractors, including performance rubrics, operational readiness reviews, and multi-phase procurement processes.

Changed the referenced Arizona Revised Statutes from Title 36 (Health Care Cost Containment) to Title 32 (Board of Pharmacy), altering the legal authority under which the bill operates.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific eligibility criteria allowing pharmacists to independently order tests and initiate treatment for conditions including influenza, strep throat, and coronavirus, provided the patient is at least twelve years old.

REQUIREMENT

Established new requirements for pharmacists to notify primary care providers within 72 hours of treatment, maintain patient records for seven years, and display notices stating services are performed without physician oversight.

Created a new Independent Testing and Treatment Advisory Committee composed of pharmacists, physicians, patient advocates, and nurses to develop and review statewide protocols for these services.

Granted pharmacists the authority to initiate and dispense HIV pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis under specific testing and counseling protocols.

AHCCCS; procurement; contracting

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