SB 1744 amends Arizona's sales tax code (ARS § 42-5061) to add a new exemption for "durable medical equipment" under specific conditions. This provision exempts from sales tax medical devices like hospital beds or mobility aids that meet Medicare coding requirements, are prescribed by licensed health professionals, and are designed for home use during illness or injury. The exemption directly affects medical equipment sellers, healthcare providers, and patients purchasing these items. The bill does not alter existing exemptions for items like insulin, prescription eyewear, or food, but clarifies the scope of the durable medical equipment category. (Citation: ARS § 42-5061, subsection 13)
HB 2333 requires Arizona health insurance plans (for hospital service corporations and health care services organizations) to cover prosthetic and orthotic devices at a minimum level equivalent to Medicare Part B coverage, effective January 1, 2027. The bill mandates coverage for device purchase, fitting, repair, replacement, necessary materials, and rehabilitation services to enable activities of daily living, job-related tasks, and physical activities like swimming or strength training. It directly affects individuals with limb loss, limb difference, or mobility impairments who rely on these devices, while prohibiting insurers from denying coverage based on disability or imposing stricter cost-sharing for these devices than for other medical services. Insurers must also provide annual reports detailing necessary care for people with mobility impairments, starting in 2028.
This bill requires Arizona insurers to offer Medicare supplement insurance plans to people under 65 with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on the same terms as those 65 and older, including identical benefits and no higher premiums. It mandates that insurers cannot charge these younger enrollees more for supplemental coverage than they charge 65+ enrollees. The law also creates a special enrollment period (December 2, 2025 - June 1, 2027) for individuals with ESRD or ALS who are enrolled in Medicare Part B due to their condition. These provisions ensure equal access to supplemental insurance for this specific group without age-based premium discrimination.
HB 2433 requires Arizona insurers to offer the same Medicare supplement insurance plans to people under 65 with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or ALS as to those 65 and older. It prohibits charging higher premiums to these younger enrollees and creates a specific enrollment window (December 2, 2025-June 1, 2027) for them to apply. The bill applies to all Medicare supplement policies sold in Arizona, ensuring equal coverage access regardless of age for ESRD or ALS patients enrolled in Medicare.
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.
