HB 1727 Summary

• Requires health benefit plans in Arkansas to provide coverage and reimbursement for intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) provided through telemedicine on the same basis as in-person services, effective January 1, 2020.

• Defines intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring as the use of electrophysiological methods during surgery to localize anatomical structures or monitor functional integrity of neural tissues to prevent irreversible damage and reduce neurological deficits.

• Mandates reimbursement under Current Procedural Terminology code 95941 at usual and customary rates when the interpreting healthcare professional is an Arkansas-licensed physician privileged to provide IONM at the surgical facility.

• Applies to all health benefit plans (individual, group, HMOs, church plans) issued or delivered in Arkansas, including Arkansas Medicaid Program and Arkansas Works Program, while excluding workers' compensation, disability, and specified other insurance types.

• Permits IONM monitoring of one or more patients from outside the operating room when ordered by a treating healthcare professional who determines the service is medically necessary or appropriate.