The bill amends the Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act to streamline the application process for healthcare providers seeking participation with insurers. Specifically, it reduces the time allowed for healthcare insurers to make decisions on applications. The new language specifies that a healthcare insurer must make a decision within sixty calendar days for physicians and ninety calendar days for other providers, down from the previous requirement of one hundred eighty days for non-physician providers.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the language regarding the decision-making timeline by changing "Healthcare insurers" to "A healthcare insurer," thereby emphasizing the responsibility of individual insurers. This legislative change aims to expedite the application process, ultimately improving access to healthcare services for consumers in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1788 V2 - 3-20-2025 10:24 AM: 23-99-411(a)
Old version HB1788 Original - 3-13-2025 03:35 PM: 23-99-411(a)
HB 1788: 23-99-411(a)
Act 571: 23-99-411(a)