HB1164
To Allow A Physician Or Healthcare Provider To Offer Cognitive Assessments For Certain Patients; And To Mandate That Insurance Policies Cover Assessments For Cognitive Function For Certain Patients.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes to allow physicians and healthcare providers in Arkansas to offer annual cognitive assessments to certain patients. The assessments are intended to evaluate cognitive function, Alzheimer's disease, or dementia. Patients eligible for these assessments are those aged 60 or older, or those aged 45 or older who are at a higher risk for these conditions due to factors like family history or previous injuries. If a patient declines the assessment, the provider must document the refusal, which then relieves the provider of liability for not performing the assessment. The bill also mandates that health insurance policies in Arkansas must cover these cognitive assessments for eligible patients. The definition of a health benefit plan is broad, including state and federal programs like Medicaid and the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me Program. The mandate for insurance coverage is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. Records related to these assessments will be kept confidential.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be individuals in Arkansas aged 60 and older, and those aged 45 and older who are at increased risk for cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, or dementia. This includes individuals with specific risk factors such as a family history of dementia, Down Syndrome, traumatic brain injury, or other clinically identified conditions. Healthcare providers would also benefit from a clearer framework for offering and documenting these assessments, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and intervention for patients. Health insurers and healthcare plans would be required to cover these services, making them more accessible to the identified patient populations.
Who Might Suffer?
Healthcare insurers and health benefit plans in Arkansas would be negatively impacted by the mandate to cover cognitive assessments. They will incur additional costs associated with providing this coverage, which could potentially lead to adjustments in premiums or other plan benefits, although the bill states coverage would not diminish other allowable benefits. Healthcare providers might experience an increased administrative burden related to offering, documenting, and potentially coding these assessments. While the bill aims to protect providers from liability if a patient refuses assessment, the process of documentation itself adds a layer of administrative work. The Arkansas Medicaid Program and other state-funded health benefit programs, as defined in the bill, would also face increased expenditures due to the coverage mandate.