AR HB1259

Creates the Healthcare Cost-Sharing Collections Act as a new subchapter of Arkansas Code Title 23, Chapter 99, establishing requirements for how health insurers collect patient cost-sharing amounts.

Requires healthcare insurers to pay providers the full amount due for healthcare services and grants insurers sole responsibility for collecting deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments from enrollees.

Prohibits insurers from withholding cost-sharing amounts from provider payments, requiring providers to offer additional discounts outside contracted terms, or canceling coverage due to unpaid cost-sharing.

Allows insurers to collect cost-sharing in installments throughout the plan year upon enrollee request and permits copay assistance coupons to be applied toward annual cost-sharing requirements.

Designates violations as deceptive acts under the Trade Practices Act and authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to enforce provisions and promulgate implementing rules.