§ 23-79-1502. Craniofacial anomaly — Coverage for reconstructive surgery required
(a) (1) A health benefit plan that is offered, issued, provided, or renewed in this state shall include coverage and benefits for reconstructive surgery and related medical care for a person of any age who is diagnosed as having a craniofacial anomaly if the surgery and treatment are medically necessary to improve a functional impairment […]
§ 23-79-1503. Rules
(a) The State Insurance Department shall develop and promulgate rules for the implementation and administration of this subchapter. (b) The State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board may develop and promulgate rules for the administration of this subchapter for the plans providing health benefits to state and public school employees under § 21-5-401 […]
§ 23-79-1601. Definitions
As used in this subchapter: (1) “Distant site” means the location of the healthcare professional delivering healthcare services through telemedicine at the time the services are provided; (2) (A) “Health benefit plan” means: (i) An individual, blanket, or group plan, policy, or contract for healthcare services issued or delivered by an insurer, health maintenance organization, […]
§ 23-79-1602. Coverage for telemedicine
(a) (1) This subchapter applies to all health benefit plans delivered, issued for delivery, reissued, or extended in Arkansas on or after January 1, 2016, or at any time when any term of the health benefit plan is changed or any premium adjustment is made thereafter. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a)(1) of this section, this subchapter […]
§ 23-79-1701. Title
This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Emerging Therapy Act of 2017”.
§ 23-79-1702. Definitions
As used in this subchapter: (1) “Board” means the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board; (2) “Choosing Wisely Initiative” means the initiative established by the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation that seeks to advance a national dialogue on avoiding wasteful or unnecessary medical tests, treatments, and procedures; (3) “Emerging therapies” means […]
§ 23-79-1703. State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board — Requirements
(a) By the end of plan year 2017, the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board shall explore the evidence supporting opportunities for benefit modification informed by: (1) The Choosing Wisely Initiative; (2) Emerging therapies; and (3) Therapeutic alternatives to invasive surgical procedures, such as regenerative injection therapy. (b) By July 2018, the […]
§ 23-79-1704. Legislative findings
The General Assembly finds that: (1) The State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board has a fiduciary obligation to explore cost-effective treatments for its members; (2) There are emerging technologies that could serve as cost-effective alternatives to surgical procedures; and (3) Clinical organizations are increasingly providing public guidance on quality treatment practices.
§ 23-79-1801. Definitions
As used in this subchapter: (1) (A) “Health benefit plan” means: (i) An individual, blanket, or group plan, policy, or contract for healthcare services issued or delivered by an insurer, health maintenance organization, hospital medical service corporation, or self-insured governmental or church plan in this state; and (ii) Any health benefit program receiving state or […]
§ 23-79-1802. Coverage for newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy
(a) A health benefit plan that is offered, issued, or renewed in this state shall provide coverage for newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy by a healthcare professional on or after January 1, 2020. (b) The coverage for newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy under this section: (1) Is not subject to policy deductibles or […]