AR HB1125

Health maintenance organizations and their contractors may pay claims using gift cards, credit cards, or virtual credit cards if healthcare providers receive clear instructions on how to select alternative payment methods.

Health maintenance organizations are prohibited from requiring participating providers to accept gift cards, credit cards, or electronic payments if these payment methods charge the provider a service fee to process.

Healthcare insurers may pay claims using alternative payment methods including gift cards, credit cards, or virtual credit cards if providers receive clear instructions, but cannot require acceptance if service fees apply.

"Risk-sharing payments" to physicians may include alternative payment methods by gift card, credit card, or virtual credit card only if physicians receive clear instructions and are not charged a service fee to process the payment.

Bill amends Arkansas Code sections 23-76-119, 23-99-204, and 23-99-902 to implement these restrictions on insurer and HMO payment requirements.