What's happening in Arkansas?

Act 867: Ambulance Provider Reimbursement 

Arkansas House Bill 1850 has been enacted into law. The bill was signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on April 17, 2025, and is now designated as Act 867. It mandates that ambulance providers in Arkansas be reimbursed at the LESSER of either 325% of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule or their billed charges, aiming to resolve confusion between providers, insurers, and the state insurance department regarding in-network and out-of-network payment structures.

The legislation includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon approval by the Governor, underscoring the urgency of addressing reimbursement issues to ensure the sustainability of emergency medical services in the state

National EMS Memorial Service: Moving Honors

In 2000, the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride was started by 10 EMS providers biking from Boston to Roanoke to raise awareness of EMS workers' dedication and sacrifices. Today, it continues to honor EMS personnel by organizing long-distance cycling events that celebrate those who serve, those injured or sick on duty, and those who have died in the line of duty.

Jonesboro, Arkansas is on the preliminary route - visit here to learn more and to stay current on the final schedule and timeline. 

Industry Insights

One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1)

The "Big Beautiful Bill"

No doubt you are aware of the House passage of the "Big Beautiful Bill," and the potential impact on Provider Assessment Programs. Association leadership has been tracking the contents closely and have met internally, externally with legislative staff, with state Medicaid offices and other trade associations on the content.  The consensus from all groups is consistent. Everything contained is subject to change.  

Below is an excerpt from the National Rural Health Association analysis specific to Medicaid provisions. Again, the Senate is expected to make changes to the House version.  When the final bill is released / passed by the Senate, a summary of the content and any specific implications for the Arkansas Provider Assessment Program will be distributed. 

"the initial provisions relevant to rural health in the package include:

• Medicaid:
• • Freezing states' provider taxes at current rates and prohibiting states from implementing new provider taxes
  • Limiting future state directed payments to Medicare payment rates
  • Sunsetting eligibility for increased FMAP (+5%) for new expansion states
  • Work requirements: 80 hours per month of work, community service, participation in a work program, OR enrolled in educational program at least half-time
  • • Exceptions for children, seniors, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, those already meeting work requirements for TANF/SNAP, members of Tribes
    • Compliance determined 1-month preceding Medicaid enrollment and during redetermination. States can choose to do so more frequently
  • Limiting retroactive coverage to 1 month prior to individual's application date (currently 3 months)

  • Increasing frequency of eligibility redeterminations to every 6 months (currently 12 months) for expansion adults"

EMS1: MEDS Act

Introduced on May 28, 2025, the MEDS Act aims to modernize emergency medical services (EMS) nationwide by addressing key challenges faced by EMS providers.

Key Goals:

• Create a new Medicare payment model to better support EMS agencies, especially in maintaining essential medications and blood products for emergency care.

• Address medication and blood supply shortages by funding acquisition, storage, transport, and administration of critical items like epinephrine, fentanyl, and blood products.

• Reduce hospital “wall time” delays where EMS crews wait in emergency rooms before transferring patient care, by mandating federal guidance under EMTALA and evaluating its effectiveness.

• Evaluate EMS medical oversight and workforce needs through a Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) study on EMS physician roles, reimbursement adequacy, and workforce shortages impacting recruitment and retention.

• Formally define EMS in federal law, aligning it with the Controlled Substances Act to improve integration with Medicare and Medicaid support.

Importance:

The bill, supported by the National Association of EMS Physicians, seeks to strengthen EMS systems, improve patient outcomes, and ensure sustainable funding and workforce stability.

The EMS COMPACT: Quarterly Meeting Recap

• Honoring National EMS Week for EMS clinicians’ dedication and sacrifice.
• Honoring EMS for Children Day recognizing specialized pediatric care by EMS.
• Recognizing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for supporting the Commission’s mission and licensure system.
• Recognizing the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) for hosting support of the Commission’s meeting.

Additionally, a new committee was established to create best practice guidelines for licensing individuals with criminal convictions to ensure fairness and consistency across EMS Compact states.

Arkansas Health Update

Respiratory Virus - % of Emergency Department Visits - CDC Data

The data is updated by the CDC weekly and can be accessed here.

Upcoming Events

July 31 - August 3, 2025: AEMTA Conference

June 22 - 24, 2025: AAA Annual Conference & Trade Show

Resources

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