TO ALLOW AN AMBULANCE SERVICE TO ORDER CERTAIN TYPES OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES WITHOUT A REFERRAL FROM A PHYSICIAN; AND TO MANDATE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AN AMBULANCE SERVICE TO ORDER CERTAIN TYPES OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

HB 1294 would have allowed licensed ambulance services in Arkansas to order durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs) or outpatient services (such as physical therapy) for patients without requiring a physician referral, coordinated through their medical director. It also would have required health insurance plans to cover these services when ordered by ambulance staff. The bill specifically amended ambulance service regulations (Arkansas Code § 20-13-108) and insurance coverage rules (Arkansas Code § 23-79-2703) to implement these changes. However, the bill was withdrawn by its author on February 20, 2025, and did not become law.