The bill amends the Arkansas Triage, Treat, and Transport to Alternative Destination Act to clarify the coverage requirements for ambulance services provided by healthcare insurers. Specifically, it removes the stipulation that coverage changes take effect on January 1, 2024, and instead establishes that all healthcare insurers offering health benefit plans in Arkansas must provide coverage for ambulance services. The bill emphasizes that these services include treating enrollees in place through telemedicine with a physician or behavioral health specialist, as well as triaging or transporting enrollees to alternative destinations under similar conditions.

Additionally, the bill modifies the language regarding situations where an enrollee may not be transported. It specifies that treatment in place is applicable when an enrollee declines transport against medical advice, provided that the ambulance service is coordinating care through telemedicine. This change aims to ensure that enrollees receive appropriate care while also clarifying the responsibilities of ambulance services and healthcare insurers in these scenarios.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1286 V2 - 2-19-2025 02:06 PM: 23-79-2703(a)
Old version HB1286 Original - 1-28-2025 05:00 PM: 23-79-2703(a)
HB 1286: 23-79-2703(a)
Act 199: 23-79-2703(a)