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HB 1584

TO REQUIRE INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENTS OF A BENEFICIARY IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES BE COMPLETED WITHIN A CERTAIN TIME.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lee Johnson and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1584 aimed to ensure Arkansas Medicaid beneficiaries receive home- and community-based service assessments within 30 days, streamlining access to essential support.

WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1584

Summary of House Bill 1584

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: HB 1584
  • Title: To Require Independent Assessments of a Beneficiary in the Arkansas Medicaid Program for Home- and Community-Based Services Be Completed Within a Certain Time
  • Status: Withdrawn by Author
  • Introduced: February 25, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1584 aimed to establish a clear timeframe for the completion of independent assessments for beneficiaries seeking home- and community-based services under the Arkansas Medicaid Program. The intent was to streamline the eligibility determination process, ensuring that beneficiaries receive timely access to necessary services.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several significant changes to the Arkansas Medicaid Program, specifically:

  1. Eligibility Determination Timeline:

    • The Arkansas Medicaid Program would be required to complete eligibility determinations, approvals, and authorizations for home- and community-based services within 30 days of the initial application.

  2. Independent Assessments:

    • If a third party is contracted to conduct the independent assessment, they must also complete this assessment within 30 days of the initial application.

  3. Abbreviated Assessment Process:

    • The Department of Human Services would implement an abbreviated assessment process for beneficiaries who have previously been approved for home- and community-based services. This could include a desk review for those already receiving services.

  4. Federal Waiver Applications:

    • The Department would be tasked with applying for any necessary federal waivers, Medicaid state plan amendments, or other authorizations to implement the provisions of this bill.

Impact

  • Beneficiaries: The bill was designed to benefit individuals applying for home- and community-based services by reducing wait times for eligibility determinations and assessments.
  • Department of Human Services: The bill would have required the Department to adapt its processes and potentially seek additional federal approvals to comply with the new requirements.

Legislative Actions

  • February 25, 2025: HB 1584 was filed and read for the first time. The rules were suspended, and it was read a second time before being referred to the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee in the House.
  • March 17, 2025: The bill was withdrawn by the author, halting its progress through the legislative process.

Conclusion

While HB 1584 aimed to enhance the efficiency of the Arkansas Medicaid Program's assessment process for home- and community-based services, it was ultimately withdrawn before further consideration. The proposed changes highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve service delivery for Medicaid beneficiaries in Arkansas.

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

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