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Bill

HB 1294

TO ALLOW AN AMBULANCE SERVICE TO ORDER CERTAIN TYPES OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES WITHOUT A REFERRAL FROM A PHYSICIAN; AND TO MANDATE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AN AMBULANCE SERVICE TO ORDER CERTAIN TYPES OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lee Johnson

Bill would have allowed ambulance services to independently order healthcare services without physician referrals and required insurance coverage for such services before author withdrew it.

WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1294

Legislative bill overview

HB 1294 would have permitted ambulance services to directly order certain healthcare services for patients without requiring a physician referral. The bill would also have mandated insurance coverage for these ambulance-ordered services, effectively expanding the scope of practice and reimbursement authority for ambulance providers in Arkansas.

Why is this important

This bill touches on critical questions about healthcare access, cost control, and professional scope of practice. Ambulance services are often first responders in emergencies, so expanding their authority could improve care speed in urgent situations. However, it also raises questions about appropriate medical oversight, insurance costs, and whether this represents appropriate delegation of medical decision-making.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of practice concerns: Paramedics and EMTs have different training levels than physicians; expanding their authority to independently order services without medical oversight raises quality and safety questions
  • Insurance cost implications: Mandating coverage for ambulance-ordered services could increase insurance premiums and claims processing complexity
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill references "certain types of healthcare services" without specifying which services qualify, creating implementation uncertainty and potential for scope creep

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

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