This bill aims to enhance the capabilities of licensed ambulance services by allowing them to order certain healthcare services, specifically durable medical equipment and outpatient services, without needing a referral from a physician. The proposed amendment to Arkansas Code 20-13-108 introduces a new subsection that permits licensed ambulance services, in coordination with their medical director, to make these orders directly for patients.

Additionally, the bill mandates insurance coverage for these services, ensuring that health benefit plan enrollees can receive durable medical equipment or outpatient services ordered by ambulance services without a physician's referral. This is reflected in the amendment to Arkansas Code 23-79-2703(a)(1), which adds a new subdivision that explicitly allows ambulance services to order these types of care for enrollees.

Statutes affected:
HB 1294: 20-13-108, 23-79-2703(a)