HB1424

This bill mandates that the Arkansas Medicaid program and private health benefit plans in Arkansas provide coverage for the treatment of diseases and conditions related to severe obesity. Specifically, it requires insurance coverage for bariatric surgery, including preoperative and postoperative care, such as nutritional counseling, psychological screening, and physical therapy. To qualify, patients must meet specific body mass index (BMI) requirements and have associated comorbidities, or have a significantly higher BMI alone. The bill sets forth requirements for clinical documentation, patient attestation, and adherence to established surgical standards. It allows insurers to require prior authorization and limit procedures to accredited medical facilities. Crucially, the legislation explicitly excludes coverage for injectable glucose-lowering drugs or any other weight-loss medications. The bill also tasks the Insurance Commissioner with promulgating rules to further define covered services and comorbidities.