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HB 1840

VEH CD-ALT REG FORMS&DOCS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Curtis Tarver

Arkansas' Act 967 expands Medicaid to cover sedation dentistry, improving access for beneficiaries needing dental care while ensuring timely reimbursement for providers.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1840

Summary of House Bill 1840 (Act 967)

Bill Number: HB 1840
Title: To Amend the Medicaid Provider-Led Organized Care Act to Ensure that Sedation Dentistry is Covered by Risk-Based Provider Organizations
Status: Now Act 967
Introduced: March 18, 2025

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1840 aims to amend the Medicaid Provider-Led Organized Care Act in Arkansas to ensure that sedation dentistry is included in the services covered by risk-based provider organizations. The bill seeks to enhance access to dental care for Medicaid beneficiaries who may require sedation for various dental procedures.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several important amendments to existing law:

  1. Definition of Direct Service Provider:

    • The definition of "direct service provider" is expanded to explicitly include organizations or individuals that provide sedation dentistry services to Medicaid beneficiaries.

  2. Definition of Sedation Dentistry:

    • A new definition for "sedation dentistry" is established, encompassing the administration of sedative medications during dental procedures. This includes various levels of sedation: minimal, moderate, deep, and general anesthesia.

  3. Exclusion of Services:

    • The bill clarifies that while certain dental benefits are excluded from the Medicaid provider-led organized care system, sedation dentistry will not be among those exclusions.

  4. Claims Processing:

    • Risk-based provider organizations are mandated to process claims for sedation dentistry services and ensure timely payment to direct service providers, in accordance with federal regulations.

Impact

  • Beneficiaries: The primary beneficiaries of this legislation will be Medicaid recipients in Arkansas who require sedation for dental procedures. This change is expected to improve access to necessary dental care for individuals who may experience anxiety or other issues that necessitate sedation.

  • Providers: Dental care providers who offer sedation services will be positively impacted as they will be able to receive reimbursement for these services through Medicaid, thereby encouraging more providers to offer sedation dentistry.

Procedural Timeline

  • March 18, 2025: Bill filed and introduced.
  • April 3, 2025: Amendment #1 adopted, and the bill was engrossed.
  • April 10, 2025: The bill passed the Senate and was returned to the House.
  • April 15, 2025: The bill was correctly enrolled and transmitted to the Governor's Office.
  • April 21, 2025: Notification that HB 1840 is now Act 967.

This legislation represents a significant step towards improving dental care access for vulnerable populations in Arkansas, ensuring that necessary sedation services are covered under Medicaid.

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

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