This bill mandates that pediatricians screen for Type 1 diabetes during yearly well-child visits starting at the age of three. It highlights the concern that such screenings are not routinely conducted, often leading to late diagnoses only discovered during emergency hospitalizations. The required screenings will include hemoglobin A1c testing, blood sugar testing, and additional antibody testing if deemed necessary by the pediatrician or if there is a family history of Type 1 diabetes.

Furthermore, the bill ensures that the Arkansas Medicaid Program and health benefit plans cover these Type 1 diabetes screenings. It establishes that health benefit plans, which include various types of healthcare policies and programs receiving state or federal funding, must provide coverage for these screenings starting January 1, 2026. The Department of Human Services is also tasked with applying for any necessary federal waivers or amendments to implement this coverage effectively.