The bill amends the Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act by revising the definition of "psychiatric collaborative care model." It updates the reference date for the evidence-based integrated behavioral health service delivery method from March 31, 2023, to January 1, 2025. This change aligns the definition with the latest guidelines from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Additionally, the bill expands the psychiatric collaborative care model to include clinical psychiatric pharmacist services as part of the primary care team. It specifies the qualifications required for individuals providing these services, including holding a pharmacy degree from an accredited program, utilizing disease state management protocols, and maintaining a valid pharmacist license in good standing. The inclusion of clinical psychiatric pharmacists aims to enhance the collaborative care approach in mental health treatment.

Statutes affected:
SB 309: 23-99-422(a)