§ 23-99-1111. Requests for prior authorization — Qualified persons authorized to review and approve — Adverse determinations to be made only by Arkansas-licensed physicians

(a) The initial review of information submitted in support of a request for prior authorization may be conducted by a qualified person employed or contracted by a utilization review entity.

(b) A request for prior authorization may be approved by a qualified person employed or contracted by a utilization review entity.

(c)

1. (1) An adverse determination regarding a request for prior authorization shall be made by a physician who possesses a current and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the State of Arkansas issued by the Arkansas State Medical Board.

2. (2)

   1. (A) A utilization review entity shall provide a method by which a physician may request that a prior authorization request be reviewed by a physician in the same specialty as the physician making the request, by a physician in another appropriate specialty, or by a pharmacologist.

   2. (B) If a request is made under subdivision (c)(2)(A) of this section, the reviewing physician or pharmacologist is not required to meet the requirements of subdivision (c)(1) of this section.