SB318 - Prior Authorization Transparency Act

• Repeals existing prior authorization statute (Arkansas Code § 23-99-420) and establishes new "Prior Authorization Transparency Act" as subchapter 9 of Arkansas Code Title 23, Chapter 99

• Requires healthcare insurers to post all prior authorization and nonmedical review requirements on their websites in clear terms, provide 60 days' written notice to healthcare providers before implementing new or amended requirements, and publish approval/denial statistics by physician specialty, medication, diagnostic test, and reason for denial

• Mandates that utilization review entities make prior authorization decisions within 2 business days for nonurgent services, 1 business day for urgent services, and 60 minutes for emergency services, with automatic approval if deadlines are missed

• Prohibits prior authorization requirement for emergency healthcare services, limits retrospective denials to 45 business days, and requires written notices of adverse determinations to include healthcare professional credentials, applicable clinical criteria, appeal procedures, and regulatory complaint contact information

• Requires healthcare insurers to use a single standardized prior authorization form (not exceeding 2 pages) for prescription drug benefits effective January 1, 2014, and prohibits contractual waivers of act requirements