The proposed bill aims to establish minimum reimbursement levels for healthcare services in Arkansas, addressing the significant disparities in reimbursement rates that healthcare providers in the state currently face. The General Assembly recognizes that Arkansas providers receive some of the lowest reimbursement rates in the nation, which adversely affects their financial stability and ability to attract qualified professionals. The bill includes legislative findings that highlight the need for an adequate healthcare system to ensure that all Arkansans have access to necessary services.

To implement these changes, the bill introduces a new subchapter to the Arkansas Code, which outlines definitions, minimum reimbursement levels, and enforcement mechanisms. Specifically, it mandates that health benefit plans reimburse healthcare providers at a minimum level that will be phased in over three years, reaching 100% of the equivalent Medicare reimbursement by January 1, 2028. The Insurance Commissioner will be responsible for determining these reimbursement levels based on commercial prices in adjoining states and will publish the minimum reimbursement levels annually. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for compliance documentation, dispute resolution, and the potential revocation of a healthcare insurer's authority to operate in the state if they violate the established rules.