RELATING TO ACUPUNCTURE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Ichiyama

House Bill 1333 mandates Arkansas health plans to cover breastfeeding and lactation consultant services without costs, improving access for new mothers starting January 2026.

Referred to HLT, CPC, referral sheet 4

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Purpose of the Bill

House Bill 1333 aims to mandate coverage for breastfeeding and lactation consultant services under health benefit plans in the state of Arkansas. The bill seeks to enhance support for breastfeeding mothers by ensuring that they have access to necessary consulting services without incurring additional costs.

Key Provisions

Coverage Mandate: Starting January 1, 2026, all health benefit plans offered in Arkansas must provide coverage for breastfeeding and lactation consultant services.

Cost Structure: The services mandated by this bill will not be subject to annual deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance, ensuring that enrollees can access these services without financial barriers.

Definitions: The bill defines "breastfeeding and lactation consultant" to include:

International Board Certified Lactation Consultants
Certified lactation counselors, who must be supervised by a contracted healthcare provider to receive reimbursement.

Reimbursement: The Arkansas Medicaid Program will reimburse qualified lactation consultants if they have a Medicaid number or meet other reimbursement requirements.

Affected Parties

Enrollees: Individuals entitled to healthcare services, including pregnant women and new mothers, will benefit from the mandated coverage.

Healthcare Providers: Lactation consultants and healthcare providers who offer breastfeeding support services will see increased demand for their services.

Insurance Companies: Health benefit plans will need to adjust their offerings to comply with the new coverage requirements.

Fiscal Impact

The estimated fiscal impact of the bill ranges from $2.3 million to $11.6 million in total computable costs, with a state share estimated between $702,879 and $3.5 million. The current utilization of lactation services is low, suggesting that any increase in costs due to higher service utilization will be negligible.

Legislative Timeline

Introduced: January 30, 2025

Amendments: Several amendments were proposed and adopted throughout the legislative process, refining definitions and clarifying reimbursement structures.

Final Actions: The bill was passed by both the House and Senate, with the final version being transmitted to the Governor's Office on April 10, 2025. It was subsequently enacted as Act 627 on April 16, 2025.

Conclusion

House Bill 1333 represents a significant step towards improving maternal and infant health in Arkansas by ensuring that breastfeeding and lactation consultant services are accessible and affordable for all enrollees under health benefit plans. The bill's implementation is expected to enhance support for new mothers, promoting better health outcomes for both mothers and infants.

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