Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
1 State of Arkansas
2 95th General Assembly A Bill
3 Regular Session, 2025 HOUSE BILL 1055
4
5 By: Representatives J. Mayberry, Rye, Breaux, Springer
6 By: Senators C. Penzo, F. Love
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8 For An Act To Be Entitled
9 AN ACT TO ESTABLISH COVERAGE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
10 TO SLOW THE PROGRESSION OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE OR
11 OTHER DEMENTIA-RELATED DISEASE UNDER THE STATE AND
12 PUBLIC SCHOOL LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM; AND
13 FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
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16 Subtitle
17 TO ESTABLISH COVERAGE DIAGNOSIS AND
18 TREATMENT TO SLOW THE PROGRESSION OF
19 ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE OR OTHER DEMENTIA-
20 RELATED DISEASE UNDER THE STATE AND
21 PUBLIC SCHOOL LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE
22 PROGRAM.
23
24 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
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26 SECTION 1. Arkansas Code Title 21, Chapter 5, Subchapter 4, is amended
27 to add an additional section to read as follows:
28 21-5-425. Coverage for diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease
29 or other dementia-related disease — Legislative findings and intent — Rules.
30 (a) The General Assembly finds that:
31 (1) Alzheimer's disease is the seventh leading cause of death in
32 Arkansas according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
33 (2) The cost of managing the complications of late-stage
34 Alzheimer's disease, largely due to delayed diagnosis and access to
35 treatment, outweighs the cost of expeditious and effective treatment;
36 (3) The diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease or other
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1 dementia-related disease should be a clinical decision made by a physician
2 based on evidence-based guidelines; and
3 (4) The United States Food and Drug Administration has granted
4 approval for treatments of patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's
5 disease.
6 (b) It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide coverage for
7 the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease or other dementia-related
8 disease.
9 (c) Each state employee's and public school employee's health benefit
10 plan under the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program that
11 is offered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall offer
12 coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease or other
13 dementia-related disease as determined by a physician licensed to practice
14 medicine in this state.
15 (d) The coverage and treatment of Alzheimer's disease or other
16 dementia-related disease offered under subsection (c) of this section shall:
17 (1) Be a treatment or medication that has been approved by the
18 United States Food and Drug Administration to treat or slow the progression
19 of Alzheimer's disease or other dementia-related disease;
20 (2) Include without limitation:
21 (A) Any diagnostic testing that is necessary for a
22 physician to determine the appropriate use of treatments and medications
23 under subdivision (d)(1) of this section; and
24 (B) All treatments or medications prescribed to slow the
25 progression of Alzheimer's disease or other dementia-related disease; and
26 (3) Not be subject to step therapy protocols.
27 (e) The State Board of Finance may promulgate rules to implement this
28 section.
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