House of Representatives

HB 2435

public agency finger imaging systems

Sponsors: Huppenthal, Marsh, Knaperak, et al.

 

X

Committee on Health

 

Committee on Appropriations

This bill as introduced contains an Appropriation clause.

 

Caucus and COW

 

As Passed the House

 

HB 2435 creates a Division of Public Agency Finger Imaging Systems (Division) in the Office of Auditor General.  The Division will manage and operate the finger imaging systems of the Department of Economic Security (DES), Arizona Health Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and any other non-criminal justice state agencies. Pregnant women, the elderly and children are excluded from the program.  Finger imaging will be used to:

-         Prevent multiple enrollments for AHCCCS services. 

-         Prevent providers from billing AHCCCS for patients never seen.

-         Prevent individuals from fraudulently ordering prescriptions.

History

During the 2000 legislative session, HB 2520 was passed appropriating $200,000 in FY 2000-2001 from the state general fund to AHCCCS administration.  AHCCCS administration was to hire personnel to design and implement the finger imaging program by January 1, 2001 as a requirement for applying for eligibility and use in pharmacies.

 

Provisions

·                      Requires AHCCCS to work with the Auditor General’s Division of Public Agency Finger Imaging Systems and the Department of Economic Security (DES) to expand the finger imaging program.

·                      Expands the finger imaging eligibility program to specific programs that are selected by the director of administration and services outlined in Chapter 7.

·                      Creates the Division of Public Agency Finger Imaging Systems in the Office of Auditor General.  The Division will manage and operate the finger imaging programs of DES, AHCCCS and other non-criminal justice agencies. 

·                      The Division shall:

-Design, implement, manage and operate all public agency finger imaging systems mandated by law or established by a state agency decision.

-Make contracting decisions regarding public agency finger imaging systems.

-Develop the program in the most efficient manner possible.

-Report annually to the legislature: program savings, recommendations for growth and research on finger imaging systems for non-public assistance programs.

·                      Requires Division to review agency decisions to exempt public assistance recipients from finger imaging and provide independent analysis of agency exemptions.

·                      Requires Division to direct fraud cases to law enforcement agencies.

·                      Requires Division to submit budget requests for maintenance, expansion and implementation of the finger imaging system.

·                      Makes finger imaging a requirement for eligibility assistance.

·                      Removes current finger imaging reporting requirements by DES.

·                      Requires the Division to implement a pilot program no later than January 1, 2002. Finger imaging systems will be utilized in at least 750 AHCCCS system provider offices in a county with a population of more than 400 persons, but less than 1,500,000 persons.  Providers include physicians, hospitals and clinics.

·                      Specifies that the pilot program be used to prevent fraudulent use of the AHCCCS program and prevent providers from billing AHCCCS for patients that were never seen.  The program will also be used to prevent individuals from fraudulently ordering prescriptions.

·                      Requires Division to submit a report on or before January 1, 2003 regarding the feasibility of a statewide implementation of the finger imaging system.

·                      Eliminates the pilot program on January 1, 2004.

·                      Requires Division to begin study on or before January 1, 2002 of the usefulness and feasibility of the finger imaging system in the “No Wrong Door” initiative and submit a report to the Legislature, Secretary of State, Arizona State Library, archives and public records.

·                      Transfers the finger imaging program from AHCCCS, DES and other non-criminal justice state agencies to the Division on July 1, 2001.

·                      Subject to legislative appropriation and available matching federal monies in FY 2001-2002, the Division will begin research and the implement the finger imaging system retroactively to from and after June 30, 2001. 

 

 

 

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45th Legislature                                                                                                                                   

First Regular Session                                       3                                                         January 19, 2001

 

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