HB1061
To Ensure That Individuals With Gestational Diabetes Are Provided Coverage For Continuous Glucose Monitors Under The Arkansas Medicaid Program.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, House Bill 1061, proposes an amendment to existing Arkansas law regarding coverage for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) under the Arkansas Medicaid Program. The primary purpose is to ensure that individuals diagnosed with gestational diabetes are provided coverage for CGMs. Currently, the law outlines conditions for CGM coverage, including type 1 diabetes or other types of diabetes with specific treatment requirements, or glycogen storage disease type 1a. This bill specifically adds gestational diabetes as a qualifying condition for CGM coverage. To receive this coverage, individuals must also have regular follow-up visits with a healthcare provider at least every six months to assess the ongoing benefit of the monitor. The proposed legislation aims to expand access to this technology for a specific patient population within the Medicaid program. The bill clarifies eligibility criteria for CGM coverage.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be individuals in Arkansas diagnosed with gestational diabetes who are also enrolled in the Arkansas Medicaid Program. These individuals would gain access to continuous glucose monitors, which can assist in managing their blood glucose levels during pregnancy. Healthcare providers treating patients with gestational diabetes would also benefit by having an additional tool to offer their patients for better management of the condition. The Medicaid program itself may see indirect benefits through potentially improved health outcomes for this patient group, which could lead to reduced long-term healthcare costs associated with poorly managed gestational diabetes.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary entities that could be negatively impacted are the Arkansas Medicaid Program and potentially taxpayers. Expanding coverage for continuous glucose monitors to a new group of individuals will likely result in increased program expenditures. The extent of this impact would depend on the number of individuals with gestational diabetes who qualify and utilize CGMs. While not directly negatively impacted, healthcare providers would incur additional administrative tasks related to prescribing and managing CGMs for this newly eligible patient group. The bill does not appear to directly negatively impact any specific patient group, but rather shifts the financial responsibility for a new category of medical device coverage to the Medicaid program.