Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
Act 569 of the Regular Session
1 State of Arkansas As Engrossed: H2/24/21 S3/17/21
2 93rd General Assembly A Bill
3 Regular Session, 2021 HOUSE BILL 1254
4
5 By: Representatives Wardlaw, M. Gray, Dotson
6 By: Senator K. Hammer
7
8 For An Act To Be Entitled
9 AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO
10 RECOGNIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE AS A
11 PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
12
13
14 Subtitle
15 TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID
16 PROGRAM TO RECOGNIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE
17 REGISTERED NURSE AS A PRIMARY CARE
18 PROVIDER.
19
20
21 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
22
23 SECTION 1. Arkansas Code Title 20, Chapter 77, Subchapter 1, is
24 amended to add an additional section to read as follows:
25 20-77-140. Primary care provider for Arkansas Medicaid Program
26 Advanced practice registered nurse.
27 (a)(1) The Arkansas Medicaid Program shall recognize an advanced
28 practice registered nurse licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing for
29 all purposes as a primary care provider authorized to carry out the duties of
30 a primary care case manager, except as provided under subdivision (a)(3) of
31 this section.
32 (2) Purposes under subdivision (a)(1) of this section include
33 without limitation:
34 (A) Being recognized as the initial healthcare provider in
35 the Arkansas Medicaid Program;
36 (B) Performing initial diagnosis;
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 As Engrossed: H2/24/21 S3/17/21 HB1254
1 (C) Acting as the team leader of family practice
2 professionals and the patient-centered medical home;
3 (D) Maintaining the medical records of a patient;
4 (E) Ordering laboratory tests and records management as
5 needed for patient care;
6 (F) Providing preventive and periodic examinations within
7 primary care;
8 (G) Referring a patient to a physician, a specialist, or a
9 hospital when necessary; and
10 (H) Treating a patient within the scope of practice and
11 licensure of an advanced practice registered nurse.
12 (3) Purposes under subdivision (a)(1) of this section does not
13 include owning a patient-centered medical home.
14 (b) The program shall reimburse an advanced practice registered nurse:
15 (1) Not less than the current reimbursement rate for services
16 performed within the scope of practice and licensure of the advanced practice
17 registered nurse; and
18 (2) One hundred percent (100%) of the physician reimbursement
19 rate for all out-of-pocket costs incurred by the advanced practice registered
20 nurse such as the costs of laboratory tests, X-rays, and any additional tests
21 ordered or conducted by the advanced practice registered nurse.
22 (c) A healthcare insurance policy in which the premiums are paid
23 directly or indirectly by the program also shall recognize and reimburse an
24 advanced practice registered nurse under subsections (a) and (b) of this
25 section.
26 (d) This section does not increase the scope of practice or licensure
27 of an advanced practice registered nurse.
28
29 /s/Wardlaw
30
31
32 APPROVED: 4/5/21
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