AR HB1298

Healthcare insurers must pay claims for out-of-network hospital, nursing, medical, or surgical services directly to the healthcare provider that rendered the services, rather than to the insured patient

Applies to individual, blanket, and group health benefit plans, including Arkansas Medicaid and the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me Program

Amends three sections of Arkansas Code (§ 23-85-114, § 23-86-104, and § 23-86-112) governing payment of claims provisions for different types of health insurance policies

Excludes dental-only plans, vision-only plans, disability income plans, workers' compensation, accident-only plans, and long-term-care-only plans from the direct payment requirement

Approved March 18, 2025 as Act 307 of the Regular Session