AR HB2014

Adds Subchapter 17 (Emerging Therapy Act of 2017) to Arkansas Code Title 23, Chapter 79, requiring the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board to explore cost-effective treatment alternatives

Board must explore evidence supporting emerging therapies, the Choosing Wisely Initiative, and therapeutic alternatives to invasive surgical procedures (including regenerative injection therapy) by the end of plan year 2017

By July 2018, board must identify and consider pilot programs using stepped therapy or center of excellence approaches where evidence demonstrates cost savings to the plan

Board must identify opportunities to stimulate conversations between patients and providers about appropriate and necessary treatment, including recommendations from the Choosing Wisely Initiative

Defines "emerging therapies" as therapeutic services not historically covered but with new evidence demonstrating therapeutic enhancements or cost-avoidance opportunities, and defines "regenerative injection therapy" as a nonsurgical orthopedic treatment using injected substances to stimulate cell growth for joint or tissue repair