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HB 1164

TO ALLOW A PHYSICIAN OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO OFFER COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS; AND TO MANDATE THAT INSURANCE POLICIES COVER ASSESSMENTS FOR COGNITIVE FUNCTION FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Julie Mayberry and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1164 required cognitive assessments for older patients and mandated insurance coverage, aiming to enhance early diagnosis of cognitive impairments like dementia.

Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 1164

Summary of House Bill 1164

Bill Number: HB 1164
Title: To Allow a Physician or Healthcare Provider to Offer Cognitive Assessments for Certain Patients; and to Mandate that Insurance Policies Cover Assessments for Cognitive Function for Certain Patients.
Status: Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: January 16, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose of the Bill

House Bill 1164 aimed to enhance the healthcare framework by requiring physicians and healthcare providers to offer cognitive assessments to specific patient demographics. Additionally, it sought to mandate that insurance policies cover these assessments, thereby improving access to early diagnosis and treatment for cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Key Provisions

  1. Cognitive Assessments Requirement:

    • Physicians or healthcare providers would be required to offer annual cognitive assessments to patients who are:
      • 60 years of age or older.
      • 45 years of age or older and at a higher risk for cognitive impairments (e.g., family history of dementia, Down Syndrome, traumatic brain injury).

  2. Insurance Coverage Mandate:

    • Health benefit plans would be required to cover cognitive assessments for eligible patients as defined above.
    • Coverage would be available once annually and would not diminish or limit other benefits under the health benefit plan.

  3. Confidentiality and Liability:

    • Any records or data collected during the assessments would be confidential and exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
    • If a patient declines the assessment, the physician must document this refusal, which would relieve them of liability concerning the assessment.

  4. Effective Date:

    • The insurance coverage mandate was set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Impact

  • Target Population:

    • The bill primarily aimed to benefit older adults and those at higher risk for cognitive impairments, potentially impacting thousands of patients in Arkansas.

  • Financial Implications:

    • An actuarial statement indicated that the estimated cost of implementing this coverage would be negligible, with a projected increase in utilization of cognitive assessments being minimal (0.04 members per 1,000).
    • The estimated financial impact ranged from approximately $675,000 to $1.7 million total computable, depending on the population served.

Legislative Actions

  • The bill underwent several amendments and was passed by the House on April 7, 2025. However, it ultimately died in the Senate Committee on May 5, 2025, at Sine Die adjournment, meaning it did not progress to become law.

Conclusion

While HB 1164 aimed to improve access to cognitive assessments and insurance coverage for vulnerable populations, it did not advance through the legislative process. The intent behind the bill reflects a growing recognition of the importance of early detection and treatment of cognitive disorders in the aging population.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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