HB1294

House Bill 1294 amends Arkansas state law to authorize licensed ambulance services to order durable medical equipment or outpatient services for patients without requiring a referral from a physician. This authority must be exercised in coordination with the ambulance service's medical director. Additionally, the bill mandates that insurance providers cover these services when ordered by an ambulance service under these conditions. The goal of the legislation is to streamline the provision of healthcare services by allowing emergency medical personnel to initiate care protocols independently. By removing the physician referral requirement, the bill aims to improve the efficiency of treating patients in place or directing them to appropriate outpatient care. The bill modifies existing statutes concerning ambulance service coordination and insurance coverage for alternative healthcare pathways.