AR HB1254

Authorizes the Arkansas Medicaid Program to recognize advanced practice registered nurses licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing as primary care providers and primary care case managers.

Permits advanced practice registered nurses to serve as initial healthcare providers, perform initial diagnoses, lead patient-centered medical homes, maintain medical records, order laboratory tests, provide preventive care, refer patients to specialists, and treat patients within their scope of practice.

Excludes advanced practice registered nurses from owning patient-centered medical homes.

Requires reimbursement at not less than the current rate for services within their scope of practice and at 100% of the physician reimbursement rate for out-of-pocket costs such as laboratory tests and X-rays.

Requires healthcare insurance policies funded directly or indirectly by the program to recognize and reimburse advanced practice registered nurses under the same terms.