§ 23-79-602 — Diabetes self-management training - Licensed providers - Prescription by physician

(a) Every health insurance policy shall include coverage for a one-per-lifetime training program per insured for diabetes self-management training when medically necessary as determined by a physician and when provided by an appropriately licensed healthcare professional upon certification by the healthcare professional providing the training that the insured patient has successfully completed the training. (b) Every healthcare insurer shall offer, in addition to the one-lifetime-training program provided in subsection (a) of this section, additional diabetes self-management training in the event that a physician prescribes additional diabetes self-management training and it is medically necessary because of a significant change in the insured's symptoms or conditions. (c) A licensed healthcare professional shall only provide diabetes self-management training within his or her scope of practice after having demonstrated expertise in diabetes care and treatment and after having completed an educational program required by his or her licensing board when that program is in compliance with the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support as developed by the American Diabetes Association. (d) Diabetes self-management training shall be provided only upon prescription by a physician licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17-95-201 et seq., § 17-95-301 et seq., and § 17-95-401 et seq. (e) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to prohibit healthcare insurers from selectively negotiating contracts with qualified providers of diabetes self-management training programs.

Legislative History

Acts 1997, No. 1249, § 2.