AR
Arkansas Senate Bill SB348

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

Arkansas Senate Bill SB348

Introduced
2/27/25  
Refer
2/27/25  
Report Pass
3/20/25  
Engrossed
3/31/25  
Refer
3/31/25  
Report Pass
4/3/25  
Enrolled
4/9/25  
Chaptered
4/14/25  

Caption

To Amend The Annual Cap For Diagnostic Laboratory Services Within The Arkansas Medicaid Program; And To Declare An Emergency.

Impact

The bill's implementation is anticipated to significantly impact Medicaid beneficiaries by improving their access to necessary diagnostic services. Increased reimbursement rates for laboratory services are expected to lead to better management of patient care, particularly for those suffering from chronic pain. The Arkansas General Assembly believes that by addressing the low reimbursement cap, the bill will help reduce emergency room visits caused by inadequate monitoring of patients, thus potentially minimizing the overall healthcare costs associated with unaddressed pain management issues.

Summary

Senate Bill 348 aims to amend the annual cap for diagnostic laboratory services within the Arkansas Medicaid Program. The bill proposes to increase the reimbursement limits for laboratory services, specifically raising the cap to $1,800 for patients diagnosed with chronic pain. This adjustment is made with the intent to enhance medical monitoring and ensure that beneficiaries receive adequate care, especially in relation to pain management. The bill recognizes that the previous cap limited the effectiveness of monitoring patients and could contribute to the misuse of medications.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding SB348 is its urgent declaration, which merges healthcare policy with the current public health crisis related to the opioid epidemic. Legislators and stakeholders engaged in discussions express varying concerns regarding the potential implications of increasing reimbursement rates. Some advocates argue that higher caps could enhance patient safety and monitoring, while critics worry about the adequacy of oversight in ensuring that increased funding does not lead to overprescribing or further issues related to opioid misuse. The urgency clause also indicates a rapid need for action, suggesting that there may not have been extensive public debate prior to its proposal.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 SB5

To Amend The Philanthropic Investment In Arkansas Kids Program Act And The Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR HB1688

To Amend Various Provisions Of The Arkansas Code Concerning Public School Funding Amounts; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR SB115

To Amend And Update The Law Concerning Survivor Annuity Benefits Under The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR SB130

To Remove The Reimbursement Cap On Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Services Within The Arkansas Medicaid Program.

AR SB297

To Amend The Arkansas Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR SB496

To Amend The Duties And Membership Of The Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board; To Abolish The State Fire Prevention Commission; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR HB1126

To Expand The List Of Medications For Conditions Or Treatments That Are Not Counted Towards The Prescription Benefit Cap Within The Arkansas Medicaid Program.

AR SB491

To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning Employees Of Institutions Of Higher Education; And To Declare An Emergency.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.