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Bill

HB 1286

TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS TRIAGE, TREAT, AND TRANSPORT TO ALTERNATIVE DESTINATION ACT.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Justin Boyd and 1 co-sponsor

Act 199 mandates Arkansas insurers to cover ambulance services that treat patients via telemedicine, enhancing care options and reducing unnecessary hospital transports.

Notification that HB1286 is now Act 199
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1286

Summary of House Bill 1286 (Act 199)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1286, now known as Act 199, amends the Arkansas Triage, Treat, and Transport to Alternative Destination Act. The primary goal of this legislation is to enhance the coverage provided by healthcare insurers for ambulance services, particularly in the context of telemedicine. This aims to improve patient care by allowing for more flexible treatment options for individuals experiencing medical or behavioral health issues.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces several significant changes to the existing law:

  1. Coverage Requirements:

    • Effective January 1, 2024, healthcare insurers in Arkansas must provide coverage for ambulance services that:
      • Treat an enrollee in place through telemedicine coordination with a physician for medical complaints or with a behavioral health specialist for behavioral complaints.
      • Triage or transport an enrollee to an alternative destination under similar telemedicine coordination.

  2. Non-Transport Encounters:

    • The bill clarifies that an ambulance service can treat an enrollee in place without transport if:
      • The enrollee declines transport against medical advice.
      • The ambulance service is coordinating care through telemedicine.

  3. Amendment Details:

    • The bill was amended to include Senator J. Boyd and underwent several legislative processes, including readings, committee recommendations, and votes before being passed.

Affected Parties

  • Healthcare Insurers: Required to adjust their policies to comply with the new coverage mandates.
  • Ambulance Services: Will have expanded protocols for treating patients, potentially reducing unnecessary hospital transports.
  • Patients: Enrollees will benefit from improved access to care options, particularly through telemedicine, which may enhance their treatment experience and outcomes.

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: January 28, 2025
  • Amendment Adopted: February 19, 2025
  • Passed by Senate: February 20, 2025
  • Passed by House: February 20, 2025
  • Enrolled and Transmitted to Governor: February 24, 2025
  • Notification of Act: February 27, 2025

Conclusion

House Bill 1286 (Act 199) represents a significant step towards modernizing ambulance service coverage in Arkansas, particularly by integrating telemedicine into emergency care protocols. This legislation aims to provide more comprehensive care options for patients while ensuring that healthcare insurers adapt to these new requirements.

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

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