AR SB137

Requires all health benefit plans offered in Arkansas to provide coverage for necessary maxillofacial services, defined as healthcare services that restore, manage, or repair head and facial structures defective due to disease, trauma, or birth/developmental deformities.

Limits necessary maxillofacial services coverage to procedures for controlling or eliminating infection, controlling or eliminating pain, or restoring facial configuration or functions including speech, swallowing, or chewing.

Excludes cosmetic procedures from coverage if provided to improve on the normal range of conditions.

Specifies that dental care and orthodontic service exclusions in health benefit plans do not apply to necessary maxillofacial services.

Applies to individual, blanket, and group health plans issued by healthcare insurers, health maintenance organizations, hospital medical service corporations, and self-insured government or church plans; excludes dental-only and vision-only plans.

Becomes effective September 1, 2023.