Arizona keeps care payments moving when eligible facilities change owners

Arizona's health care payment agency and its program contractors must continue processing claims and making payments at the new owner's request. This covers licensed skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities serving Arizona Long-Term Care System patients. The facility must have active provider enrollment, continue providing covered care, and have no suspension, termination, or payment hold. Existing payment rules apply: claims must be reviewed within 30 calendar days of receipt, and overdue claims that meet payment requirements accrue interest at 1% per month. Claims and payments use the former owner's Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System number and contracts until the new owner's enrollment and contracting process is complete.

The current or new owner must give Arizona's health care payment agency written notice and answer all provider enrollment requests. These duties apply to the current or new owner in facility ownership changes covered by the payment continuation provision. Notice is due at least 60 days before the anticipated ownership change. Responses to all provider enrollment requests are due within 10 business days.