HB1863

House Bill 1863 amends the Transportation Benefit Manager Act in Arkansas regarding the reimbursement of ambulance services. The bill mandates that contracting entities must pay claims for ambulance services that received prior authorization within thirty days, with narrow exceptions for fraud or non-performance. It establishes a fixed reimbursement rate of 250% of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule (Rural Rate) and prohibits ambulance providers from balance billing patients beyond standard deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. Additionally, it stipulates that authorized claims are not subject to audit recoupment. The bill requires the Arkansas Ambulance Association to collect and report rates contracted between ambulance providers and local governments to the Insurance Commissioner starting July 1, 2025. Finally, the bill includes an emergency clause to immediately resolve conflicts surrounding reimbursement rates for ambulance services.