HB 2634 establishes a study committee to examine health insurance costs for Arizona educators and their families. The committee, composed of representatives from school districts, teachers' organizations, health insurers, and school boards, will analyze current insurance plans and costs for both school districts and employees. It must recommend affordable ways to provide high-quality health coverage for educators and their dependents, then submit a report to state leaders by November 2027. The committee will dissolve on October 31, 2028. This is a procedural bill focused on research, not immediate policy changes.
HB 2528 establishes new rights for Arizonans seeking fertility care, including the right to access treatments like IVF without unreasonable restrictions, continue ongoing treatments, and control their embryos, eggs, or sperm. It also affirms health care providers' rights to perform fertility treatments and insurers' rights to cover them. The law requires health authorities to create rules supporting these rights within one year. This bill directly affects individuals pursuing fertility care, clinics offering such services, and health insurance companies.
HB 2520 (incorrectly titled "contraception; cost sharing prohibition") actually amends Arizona health insurance contract rules to require coverage for specific preventive services without cost-sharing. The bill mandates that health insurance contracts must cover preventive mammography screening and diagnostic imaging for breast cancer (including digital breast tomosynthesis and MRI) as recommended by medical guidelines, without requiring patient cost-sharing. It also requires coverage for maternity benefits related to legally adopted children under specific conditions (adoption within one year, payment of birth costs, etc.). The bill does not address contraception or cost-sharing for contraceptive services, as its title suggests. This is a coverage requirement for existing health insurance plans, not a new benefit.
HB 2250 requires health insurers in Arizona to honor prior authorizations for covered services granted by a previous insurer for at least 90 days when an enrollee switches health plans. This directly affects patients transitioning between insurance plans and their healthcare providers, ensuring continuity of approved treatments like habilitative services (e.g., physical therapy or mental health care) without immediate denial. The key mechanism mandates that insurers must accept prior authorizations from the previous insurer if the service is covered under the new plan and documentation is provided. This policy change prevents sudden coverage interruptions during plan changes, focusing on practical implementation rather than new benefits.
HB 2187 requires Arizona health plans to provide full coverage for hearing aids and related services (including fitting, ear molds, and licensed provider services) for children under 18, or under 21 if still in high school. This applies to all standard health insurance plans issued after December 31, 2026, but excludes short-term travel, accident-only, or limited benefit plans. Deductibles and coinsurance may still apply, consistent with other covered benefits. The bill directly affects children with hearing needs enrolled in Arizona health plans, ensuring access to essential hearing devices without additional out-of-pocket costs for the core coverage.
SB 1533 establishes a state health care claims consumer assistance program within the department to help Arizona residents navigate health insurance issues. The program assists consumers with filing complaints, appeals, and disputes over denied claims, educates them on coverage rights, and helps them access federal tax credits (Section B). Health insurers must prominently display program information on benefit explanations and disclose data on denied claims to the department (Sections C, N). Violations like wrongful claim denials trigger automatic double damages for consumers, civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation, and mandatory annual reporting on claim denials (Sections G, J, Q).
SB 1165 prohibits Arizona health insurance plans (including hospital service corporations and health care service organizations) from charging cost-sharing fees (like deductibles or copays) for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams starting January 1, 2027. Diagnostic exams cover evaluations of abnormalities found during screenings or other tests, while supplemental exams are risk-based screenings for individuals with dense breasts, family history, or other factors. The bill requires insurers to cover these exams without cost-sharing even before a high-deductible plan’s deductible is met, aligning with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. It directly affects insurance providers and beneficiaries seeking these specific breast cancer screening services.
HB 2939 creates a state income tax credit for businesses expanding or locating qualified facilities in Arizona. It directly affects businesses that make new capital investments, create qualifying jobs paying at least 125% of the median wage (100% in rural areas), and provide 65% employer-paid health insurance. The credit equals 10% of qualifying investments, capped at $200,000-$300,000 per new job, with a $125 million annual cap and $30 million per business limit. Businesses must retain operations at the facility for five years and claim credits in five equal installments over time.
HB 2089 modifies Arizona's State Retirement System (ASRS) to provide premium assistance for health insurance coverage for retirees and disabled members. It sets monthly payments from ASRS assets: up to $150 for single coverage (non-Medicare, ≥10 years service), $100 for Medicare-eligible single coverage, and higher family coverage amounts ($260-$215) based on Medicare status. Retirees with less than 10 years of service receive reduced percentages (50%-90%) of these amounts. The bill establishes a separate ASRS account solely for these benefits, ensuring funds aren’t diverted from other retirement obligations. It directly affects ASRS retirees, disabled members, and their dependents who elect ASRS health coverage or employer-provided plans.
HB 2085 prohibits physicians and health professionals in Arizona from providing or referring minors under 18 for gender transition procedures, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormone therapy, or surgery. The bill allows exceptions for minors with specific medical conditions, such as disorders of sex development, or for treating infections or injuries caused by prior gender transition care. It bans public funding for such procedures in state facilities, government-employed providers, or state health insurance programs. Violations may lead to professional discipline, private lawsuits for damages, or enforcement actions by the attorney general.
