AR HB1177

Amends Arkansas Code § 20-13-202 to define "care coordination" as the coordination of healthcare services in nonemergency situations to improve patient health management and healthcare efficiency.

Defines "specific health condition" as a health condition requiring specialized healthcare treatment, including rare diseases listed by the National Institutes of Health or potentially fatal conditions where patients seek specialized care.

Authorizes emergency medical services personnel to administer prescription medications carried by patients if the medications are administered via delivery routes within their scope of training, intended to treat a specific health condition, and not listed on the Department of Health drug formulary.

Permits patients diagnosed with specific health conditions to request transport to an alternative destination facility farther than the nearest facility if approved by the local emergency medical services entity and if the alternative facility better meets the patient's needs based on physician location, recent discharge history, previous hospitalizations, or complex medical history management.

Requires the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council to establish standards for emergency medical services personnel to communicate with patients about their conditions and develop collaborative care plans, and for local EMS entities to participate in care coordination for patients with specific health conditions.