Ark. Code Ann. § 20-77-147: Diagnostic laboratory services

(a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) The national coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) emergency has emphasized the critical importance of laboratory testing for diagnosing disease and promoting health; (2) There is a disparity in the scope of laboratory testing services that are covered by the Arkansas Medicaid Program; (3) Often, radiology services are grouped with diagnostic laboratory services; (4) Radiology services are more expensive than diagnostic laboratory services and greatly reduce the services that a beneficiary can receive; (5) The program only covers up to five hundred dollars ($500) for all diagnostic laboratory services, including radiology; and (6) This disparity in services should be reduced or eliminated. (b) The program shall set the annual cap for: (1) Diagnostic laboratory services, not including radiology services, of at least five hundred dollars ($500); and (2) Radiology services of at least five hundred dollars ($500). (c) Any laboratory or diagnostic procedure that is an essential health benefit does not count towards the caps described in subsection (b) of this section. (d) The Department of Human Services shall apply for any federal waiver, Medicaid state plan amendment, or other authorization necessary to implement this section. Added by Act 2021, No. 891,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021.

(a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) The national coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) emergency has emphasized the critical importance of laboratory testing for diagnosing disease and promoting health; (2) There is a disparity in the scope of laboratory testing services that are covered by the Arkansas Medicaid Program; (3) Often, radiology services are grouped with diagnostic laboratory services; (4) Radiology services are more expensive than diagnostic laboratory services and greatly reduce the services that a beneficiary can receive; (5) The program only covers up to five hundred dollars ($500) for all diagnostic laboratory services, including radiology; and (6) This disparity in services should be reduced or eliminated.

(1) The national coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) emergency has emphasized the critical importance of laboratory testing for diagnosing disease and promoting health;

(2) There is a disparity in the scope of laboratory testing services that are covered by the Arkansas Medicaid Program;

(3) Often, radiology services are grouped with diagnostic laboratory services;

(4) Radiology services are more expensive than diagnostic laboratory services and greatly reduce the services that a beneficiary can receive;

(5) The program only covers up to five hundred dollars ($500) for all diagnostic laboratory services, including radiology; and

(6) This disparity in services should be reduced or eliminated.

(b) The program shall set the annual cap for: (1) Diagnostic laboratory services, not including radiology services, of at least five hundred dollars ($500); and (2) Radiology services of at least five hundred dollars ($500).

(1) Diagnostic laboratory services, not including radiology services, of at least five hundred dollars ($500); and

(2) Radiology services of at least five hundred dollars ($500).

(c) Any laboratory or diagnostic procedure that is an essential health benefit does not count towards the caps described in subsection (b) of this section.

(d) The Department of Human Services shall apply for any federal waiver, Medicaid state plan amendment, or other authorization necessary to implement this section.