HB1826

House Bill 1826 mandates that health benefit plans in Arkansas provide coverage for childbirth services performed in licensed birthing centers that is equivalent to the coverage provided for services received in a hospital. Beginning January 1, 2026, healthcare insurers, including Medicaid and the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me Program, must ensure that birthing centers are not subject to higher deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, or out-of-pocket limits than those applied to hospital-based birthing services. The bill provides specific definitions for health benefit plans and healthcare insurers while excluding certain entities like state employee health plans and specific specialty insurance products. The legislation also authorizes the Insurance Commissioner and the Secretary of the Department of Human Services to promulgate rules necessary for implementation. The primary purpose is to expand access to and equalize the financial burden of choosing licensed birthing centers over traditional hospital settings for maternity care.