All Roll Calls
Yes: 165 • No: 0
ArkansasSB2572025 Regular SessionSenate
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID FAIRNESS ACT; TO EXTEND THE APPEAL PERIOD FOR PROVIDERS IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM; AND TO REQUIRE COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION IN NOTICES OF ADVERSE DECISIONS.
Sponsored By: Clint Penzo (Republican), Robin Lundstrum (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Clearer Medicaid decisions and public rules
Arkansas Department of Human Services must give Medicaid providers written decisions explaining the action, supporting facts, and laws or rules violated. Notices must give clear, detailed reasons and cite every specific protocol, procedure, or policy manual reference used. The department must publish all decision-making protocols, procedures, and requirements on its website, with current versions and each version's effective date. Older versions must remain available for the medical-record retention period required by state law. Unpublished or inaccessible requirements cannot support adverse decisions. Disclosure exceptions cover legally protected information, department research on medical care standards for specific payment requests or claims, and licensure or certification actions. Contractors handling any part of Medicaid appeals must follow the same appeal deadlines, notice rules, and publication requirements. The department must update its policies, manuals, and guidelines, conduct periodic compliance audits, and publish findings annually.
More time for Medicaid provider appeals
Arkansas Medicaid providers get at least 65 days from the notice date to challenge an adverse decision, replacing the 35-day period. This covers administrative reconsideration, administrative appeals, and similar processes. For providers and recipients, Arkansas Department of Human Services notice deadlines cannot start before the next business day after mailing or transmission. The date comes from the postmark, fax confirmation, or electronic confirmation, unless federal law requires otherwise.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Clint Penzo
Republican • Senate
Robin Lundstrum
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/7/2025
Senate Vote - Monday, April 7, 2025 1:33:45 PM
Yes: 35 • No: 0
House vote • 4/2/2025
House Vote - Wednesday, April 2, 2025 3:30:06 PM
Yes: 95 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2025
Senate Vote - Wednesday, February 26, 2025 2:06:51 PM
Yes: 35 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Notification that SB257 is now Act 515
4/10/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
4/8/2025SenateReported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
4/8/2025SenateORDERED ENROLLED
4/7/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/7/2025SenateRules suspended.
4/7/2025SenateHouse Amendment No. 1 read first time, rule suspended, read second time and concurred in.
4/7/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
4/7/2025SenateReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass concur in House Amendment No. 1
4/3/2025SenateRe-referred to INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE
4/2/2025SenateReturned from the House as passed as amended # 1 .
4/2/2025SenateReturned to Senate as passed, as amended # 1
4/2/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/2/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
4/1/2025HouseREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/19/2025HouseAmendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
3/19/2025HousePlaced on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
3/19/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE
2/26/2025HouseRECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
2/26/2025HouseOrdered immediately transmitted to the House.
2/26/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
2/26/2025SenateReturned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
2/25/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE
2/19/2025SenateFiled
2/19/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB257 - Introduced
2/19/2025
Act Version
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