SB100

Senate Bill 100 proposes amending the Arkansas Medicaid Program to formally recognize physician assistants (PAs) as primary care providers and primary care case managers. To be recognized, a PA must obtain written authorization from their supervising physician. The bill requires the Medicaid program to reimburse PAs for services performed within their scope of practice at rates no lower than current standards. Additionally, it mandates that PAs receive 100% of the physician reimbursement rate for out-of-pocket costs, such as laboratory tests and X-rays. Insurance policies funded directly or indirectly by the Medicaid program must also adhere to these recognition and reimbursement requirements. The legislation explicitly states that it does not expand the existing scope of practice or licensure for physician assistants.