Free Standing Emergency Departments 
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Freestanding Emergency Departments

Hospital-Based Freestanding Emergency Departments

12/16/2016
The Hospital-Based Freestanding Emergency Department Rule, A.A.C. R9-22-712.90, has been approved by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council.

Although the FrED rates go into effect with dates of service on and after March 1, 2017, the general effective date of the other provisions of the rule is February 11, 2017.

As stated below, all Hospital-Based Freestanding Emergency Departments are required to submit a separate new provider registration form and to obtain a unique NPI not already associated with another active AHCCCS provider ID. The new NPIs will be used for claim submissions with dates of service on and after March 1, 2017. New FrED provider IDs will be in use effective March 1, 2017.

11/18/2016
Effective 03/01/2017, AHCCCS proposes to begin reimbursing Hospital-Based Freestanding Emergency Departments (FrED) a percentage of the total amount otherwise reimbursable under the AHCCCS Outpatient Capped Fee-For-Service Schedule, depending on the level of service provided -- 60% for a level 1 ED visit; 80% for a level 2 ED visit; 90% for a level 3 ED visit; and 100% for level 4 and 5 ED visits. Peer Group Multipliers will not be applied except under specific circumstances as described in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

A Hospital-Based FrED is an outpatient treatment center that provides emergency department services, is subject to the requirements of 42 CFR § 489.24 (EMTALA), and shares an ownership interest with a hospital.

All questions related to FrED reimbursements should be directed to the email address FFSRates@azahcccs.gov.

Provider Registration for Hospital-Based Freestanding Emergency Departments

11/18/2016
AHCCCS has established a provider type for Hospital-Based Freestanding Emergency Departments – the provider type is ED. All Hospital-Based FrEDs will be required to submit a separate new provider registration form and to obtain a unique NPI not already associated with another active AHCCCS provider ID. The new NPIs will be used for claim submissions with dates of service on and after March 1, 2017. New FrED provider IDs will not be in use until March 1, 2017.

Questions related to provider registration should be directed to Patricia Garcia at (602) 417-4513 or by email at Patricia.Garcia@azahcccs.gov.

Obtain a new NPI.

Further Information Related to Hospital-Based Freestanding Emergency Departments

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