AR SB626

Requires insurers to reimburse licensed ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient imaging facilities, and outpatient psychiatric centers at no less than 90% of the rate paid to hospitals for the same or similar healthcare services identified by CPT code

Overturns the Arkansas Court of Appeals decision in Ark. Blue Cross & Blue Shield v. Freeway Surgery Ctr. (2024) that permitted insurers to pay non-hospital facilities lower rates than hospital-based outpatient departments for equivalent services

Mandates insurers annually certify compliance with the State Insurance Department and disclose reimbursement methodologies, rate schedules, and disparity analyses to contracted healthcare providers

Prohibits insurers from increasing premiums, cost-sharing, or lowering existing reimbursement rates unless their excess capital over mandatory control level RBC is below 65% and medical loss ratio is 90% or greater, with Insurance Commissioner approval required

Applies retroactively to all reimbursement claims, contracts, pending disputes, and litigation in effect as of the act's effective date, with violations classified as deceptive acts subject to a 5-year statute of limitations for private actions