The bill aims to authorize the Arkansas Medicaid Program to recognize physician assistants as primary care providers. It introduces a new section to the Arkansas Code, specifically 20-77-154, which outlines the responsibilities and recognition of physician assistants within the Medicaid framework. Under this new provision, physician assistants, when authorized by their supervising physicians, will be able to serve as the initial healthcare provider and manage patient care within their scope of practice.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the Arkansas Medicaid Program will reimburse physician assistants at a rate not less than the current reimbursement for services they provide, as well as covering 100% of the physician reimbursement rate for any out-of-pocket costs incurred by the physician assistant for necessary tests. It also mandates that healthcare insurance policies funded by the program must recognize and reimburse physician assistants accordingly. Importantly, the bill clarifies that it does not expand the scope of practice or licensure for physician assistants and requires them to submit written authorization from their supervising physician when applying to be recognized as primary care providers.