AR HB1176

Arkansas Medicaid shall permanently reimburse for counseling and psychoeducation provided by licensed psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers when delivered via telemedicine.

Covered telemedicine services include crisis intervention, substance abuse assessments, mental health diagnosis assessments for individuals under 21 years old, and group therapy for adults 18 and older using HIPAA-compliant audio-visual technology.

Supplemental support services may be reimbursed in-person or via audio-visual technology or telephone through the later of the end of the public health emergency (which began March 11, 2020) or December 31, 2021.

The department shall apply for any necessary federal waivers or Medicaid state plan amendments to implement these reimbursement provisions.

The bill applies to both fee-for-service and managed care Arkansas Medicaid beneficiaries and is declared an emergency measure, effective upon gubernatorial approval.