(a) The General Assembly finds that:(1) The Arkansas Medicaid Program covers physical therapy to help beneficiaries improve their movement and physical function, manage pain and other chronic conditions, and recover from or prevent injury and chronic disease;(2) However, the program reimburses for physical therapy only in a hospital-based setting;(3) Research has found that access to rehabilitative physical therapy in clinic-based settings leads to lower total costs of care over time, decreases the need for surgical interventions, and reduces the need for long-term use of opioids and other pain medications; and(4) Expanding coverage for rehabilitative physical therapy in clinic-based settings under the program would result in cost savings to the program.
(1) The Arkansas Medicaid Program covers physical therapy to help beneficiaries improve their movement and physical function, manage pain and other chronic conditions, and recover from or prevent injury and chronic disease;
(2) However, the program reimburses for physical therapy only in a hospital-based setting;
(3) Research has found that access to rehabilitative physical therapy in clinic-based settings leads to lower total costs of care over time, decreases the need for surgical interventions, and reduces the need for long-term use of opioids and other pain medications; and
(4) Expanding coverage for rehabilitative physical therapy in clinic-based settings under the program would result in cost savings to the program.
(b) The Arkansas Medicaid Program shall reimburse for physical therapy provided in a clinic-based setting.
(c) The Department of Human Services shall apply for any federal waiver, Medicaid state plan amendment, or other authority necessary to implement this section.