Legislation Signed into Law

2019

Primary Focus Medical Management Limitation
Title/Description To Amend The Prior Authorization Transparency Act; To Prohibit Prior Authorization For Medication-Assisted Treatment; And To Declare An Emergency
Citation A.C.A Section 23-99-11
Summary

This act amends Arkansas Code Title 23, Chapter 99, Subchapter 11 by prohibiting insurers from imposing prior authorization or any other requirement other than a prescription for coverage of specified drugs used for the purposes of MAT. Additionally, such MAT drugs must be placed on the lowest tier of the prescription drug formulary.

Effective Date Effective upon approval per Emergency Clause
Notes

Enacted through HB 1656

2017

Primary Focus Mandated Benefits
Title/Description Minimum benefits for mental illness in group accident and health insurance policies or subscriber’s contracts.
Citation A.C.A. § 23-86-113
Summary

All group accident and health insurance policy or group contract of hospital and medical services corporations providing hospitalization or medical benefits to Arkansas residents for conditions arising from mental illness shall provide a variety of minimum benefits, including services furnished by a psychiatric hospital or an outpatient psychiatric center, a psychologist or a community mental health center. Copayment requirements for mental illness shall not exceed a twenty percent copayment requirements.

Effective Date 4/15/2017
Notes

Enacted through HB 1289 (2017 Regular Session)

Primary Focus Mandated Benefits
Title/Description Benefits for alcohol or drug dependency treatment.
Citation A.C.A. § 23-79-139
Summary

Every insurer, hospital and medical service corporation, and HMO transacting accident and health insurance shall make available benefits for the necessary care and treatment of alcohol and other drug dependency that are not less favorable than for physical illness generally, subject to the same durational limits, dollar limits, deductibles and coinsurance factors. Any benefits provided under alcohol or drug dependency coverage shall be determined as necessary care and treatment in an alcohol or drug dependency treatment facility or care and treatment in a hospital.

Effective Date 4/5/2017
Notes

Enacted through HB 1289 (2017 Regular Session)

Primary Focus Risk-Based Providers and Improving Patient Outcomes
Title/Description Characteristics and Duties of Risk-Based Provider Organization
Citation ARK. CODE. ANN. § 20-77-2706
Summary

Arkansas enacted legislation designating risk-based provider organizations as equivalent to insurance companies under Arkansas law, and reforming the Arkansas Medicaid program to improve patient outcomes. ARK. CODE. ANN. § 20-77-2706 mandates that risk-based provider organizations and insurers must include an Arkansas licensed behavioral health services provider in their membership. In addition, upon licensure by the commissioner, a risk-based provider organization shall create a consumer advisory council consisting of consumers of developmental, behavioral health, and substance abuse treatment services. Finally, the Department of Human Services must create rules in conjunction with behavioral health service providers to establish criteria for quality incentive payments to encourage and reward the delivery of accessible, high quality behavioral health care. ARK. CODE. ANN. § 20-77-2706 aims to allow individuals with developmental and behavioral health disabilities to participate in decisions regarding their care, including the right to refuse treatment, the right to continuity of care, and the right to choose among providers who participate in his or her network.

Effective Date Approved 3/31/2017
Notes

ARK. CODE. ANN. § 20-77-2706 adopted the provisions proposed in HB 1706.

2011

HB 1315
Introduced 2/2011
Sponsor Rep. Lindsey
Status Signed into law 3/2011
Summary

This bill changed the state insurance law by adding the section about autism coverage. A summary of this section of the law is at the bottom of this page in the “Arkansas Parity Law” section.

2009-2010

Primary Focus Mandated Benefits
Title/Description Out-of-Network Providers
Citation A.C.A. § 23-99-512
Summary

In the case of a health benefit plan that provides both medical benefits and mental illness benefits, if the health benefit plan provides coverage for medical benefits provided by out-of-network providers, the health benefit plan shall provide coverage for mental illness benefits provided by out-of-network providers.

Effective Date 10/3/2009
Notes

Enacted through HB2195 (2009 Regular Session)

Primary Focus Parity-General
Title/Description Parity Requirements
Citation A.C.A. § 23-99-506
Summary

A health benefit plan that provides benefits for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses shall provide the benefits under the same terms and conditions as provided for covered benefits offered under the health benefit plan for the treatment of other medical illnesses and conditions, including with regards to the duration or frequency of coverage, the dollar amount of coverage, or the financial requirements. That said, some limitations are in place, and this law does not require equal coverage between treatments for a mental illness with coverage for preventative care.

Effective Date 10/3/2009
Notes

Enacted through HB2195 (2009 Regular Session)

HB 2195
Introduced 3/2009
Sponsor Rep. Pennartz
Status Signed into Law 4/2009
Summary
This bill changed the section of the state insurance law relevant to parity. It changed this section law in several significant ways:

National Parity Map

View the state parity reports to learn about legislation, regulation, and litigation related to parity implementation

National Parity Map

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Common Violations

In seeking care or services, be aware of the common ways parity rights can be violated.