SB77

Senate Bill 77 mandates that the Arkansas Medicaid Program provide reimbursement for physical therapy services rendered in clinic-based settings. Currently, the program restricts reimbursement for these services to hospital-based settings. The bill is premised on legislative findings that clinic-based physical therapy can improve patient outcomes, reduce the need for surgeries and long-term opioid use, and ultimately lower total healthcare costs. The legislation directs the Arkansas Department of Human Services to seek any necessary federal waivers or state plan amendments to implement this change. The bill aims to broaden access to rehabilitative care for Medicaid beneficiaries while achieving long-term cost efficiencies.