AR
Arkansas House Bill HB1286

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

Arkansas House Bill HB1286

Introduced
1/28/25  
Refer
1/29/25  
Report Pass
2/11/25  
Engrossed
2/12/25  
Refer
2/12/25  
Report Pass
2/18/25  
Enrolled
2/24/25  
Chaptered
2/27/25  

Caption

To Amend The Arkansas Triage, Treat, And Transport To Alternative Destination Act.

Impact

The enactment of HB1286 is expected to significantly influence the regulation of healthcare in Arkansas regarding emergency medical services. Specifically, it would create a requirement for insurance companies to cover healthcare practices that utilize telemedicine, thus promoting greater flexibility in patient care. By allowing ambulance services to treat patients at the scene or redirect them to alternative destinations, the bill aims to enhance access to appropriate medical care while also addressing the growing need for behavioral health services, which has become increasingly important in healthcare discussions.

Summary

House Bill 1286 proposes amendments to the Arkansas Triage, Treat, and Transport to Alternative Destination Act, aimed at expanding healthcare coverage related to ambulance services. The bill mandates that healthcare insurers providing health benefit plans in Arkansas must cover ambulance services that triage, treat, or transport enrollees to alternative destinations while coordinating care through telemedicine. This approach is especially relevant for both medical and behavioral health complaints, allowing for a more integrated healthcare response and potentially reducing the burden on emergency rooms.

Contention

While the primary aim of HB1286 is to improve response times and patient outcomes through innovative healthcare coordination, potential points of contention may arise regarding the implementation and oversight of telemedicine services by ambulance providers. Critics may argue that without clear standards for telemedicine practices in emergency situations, there could be risks regarding the quality of care provided. Overall, while supporters of the bill emphasize its potential benefits in both medical and behavioral health contexts, discussions around its regulations and outcomes might evoke concerns about patient safety and service adequacy.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AR HB1261

To Enact The Arkansas Triage, Treat, And Transport To An Alternative Destination Act; And To Mandate Insurance Coverage For An Ambulance Service To Triage, Treat, And Transport A Patient To An Alternative Destination.

AR HB1062

An Act For The Arkansas Department Of Transportation Appropriation For The 2024-2025 Fiscal Year.

AR HB1140

An Act For The Arkansas Department Of Transportation Appropriation For The 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.

AR SB279

To Amend The Alternative To Discipline Act; And To Broaden The Alternative To Discipline Act To Apply To Non-nurses Regulated By The Arkansas State Board Of Nursing.

AR SB294

To Create The Learns Act; To Amend Various Provisions Of The Arkansas Code As They Relate To Early Childhood Through Grade Twelve Education In The State Of Arkansas; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR SB495

To Create The Protect Arkansas Act; To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning Sentencing And Parole; To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning Certain Criminal Offenses; And To Create The Legislative Recidivism Reduction Task Force.

AR SB278

To Terminate The Arkansas Health And Opportunity For Me Program; And To Transfer All Beneficiaries In The Arkansas Home And Opportunity For Me Program To The Traditional Arkansas Medicaid Program.

AR SB178

To Amend The Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act; And To Provide Reimbursement And Benefits For Mental Illness And Substance Use Disorders That Are Delivered Through A Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model.

AR SB145

An Act For The University Of Arkansas - Fayetteville Appropriation For The 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.

AR SB189

To Clarify The Definition Of "intellectual And Developmental Disability" In The Arkansas Code.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.