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Prior Authorization Gold Card (HB 1271 by Rep. Lee Johnson, MD of Greenwood and Sen. Missy Irvin of Mountain View) – This is a top priority AMS bill and it came out of the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee on Thursday (3/30). It will go to the full Senate for a vote next week. If approved, the bill will have to go back to the House to concur in amendments made on the Senate side.
If passed, this legislation would:
- Give PA exemptions ("Gold Card") based on specific CPT code, beginning in 2024.
- PA exemptions would be for 12 months for each medical service scored at 90% or above based upon 6 months of earlier PA submissions.
- Not include the PASSE and Medicaid Expansion population until 2025. A plan to reduce PA for their population must be submitted and approved by Legislative Council.
- Apply to prescription drugs in 2025 and would allow a limited exemption for some drugs to always have a PA. Carriers must submit specific request to Arkansas State Medical Board and Pharmacy Board for a drug to be considered for the list of exempted drugs.
Reimbursement for Psychiatric Collaborative Care (SB 178 by Senator Kim Hammer of Benton and Rep. DeAnn Vaught of Horatio) – Another top-priority AMS bill and it will be on the House Insurance and Commerce Committee agenda next week, but we are still working on amendatory language.
If passed, this legislation would:
- Require Insurers to reimburse behavioral health managers in a “psychiatric collaborative care model.”
- Increased efficiency in accessing behavioral health services.
Naturopathic Licensure (SB 86 by Senator Clint Penzo of Springdale) – As initially filed, would have licensed Naturopaths, given them prescriptive authority and one seat on the Arkansas State Medical Board. AMS worked with the sponsor amending the bill. Now the bill only requires the Arkansas Department of Health to study and report on the status of naturopathic physicians in Arkansas and other states.
Physician Assistant Direct Billing (SB112/Act 303 by Senator Justin Boyd of Fort Smith) – AMS worked with the sponsor to amend the bill adding language that ONLY if authorized by the supervising physician, a physician assistant could be identified as the treating provider in billing and claim processes when the physician assistant delivered the medical services to the patient.
Covenant Not to Compete (HB 1130 by Rep. Lee Johnson, MD of Greenwood) – Passed out of the House Insurance and Commerce committee this week. Clarifies that a covenant not to compete is unenforceable against physicians and other licensed healthcare professionals.
Patient Right to Know (HB 1734 by Rep. Lee Johnson, MD of Greenwood) – Passed out of the House Public Health committee on Thursday (3/30). This is another AMS priority bill that amends the 2017 Act that ensures patients can follow their doctor or other healthcare professional if they change locations. The bill clarifies that the notice of a new practice location must be by certified mail and removes a requirement that the former employer post the new practice location on their website. The original Act has unlimited damages calculated at $1000 per day. The amendment caps that at $500,000 for the provider and $500,000 for a patient or group of patients.
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