Physician Assistants and Clinical Nurse Specialists as Primary Care Providers (Concerning 20 CAR pts. 570, 600, 608, 610, 611, 614, 619, 622, 624, 625, 628, 631, 636, 646, 650, 654, 655)

Department of Human Services · Division of Medical Services

Status: Final
Citation: 20 CAR pts. 570, 600, 608, 610, 611, 614, 619, 622, 624, 625, 628, 631, 636, 646, 650, 654, 655
Docket: 016.29.26-012F
Comment deadline: Jun 8, 2026
Public hearing: May 27, 2026
ALC review: Oct 15, 2026 · item B.2.a · ALC Administrative Rules
Effective: — · Arkansas Register November 2026
Agency contact: Mac Golden

Statement of Necessity The Division of Medical Services (DMS) implements provisions of Act 482 of 2025 and provisions of Acts 303 and 872 of 2023 and completes the necessary state plan revisions to align reimbursement rules with current practice authority for physician assistants and clinical nurse specialists. The goal of this rule is to increase the number of providers available to meet the needs of Arkansas Medicaid beneficiaries and increase access to services in rural areas of the state. Physician assistants and clinical nurse specialists will be able to bill independently for services rendered to Medicaid beneficiaries and serve as primary care providers in the Medicaid Primary Care Case Management (PCCM) program.

A public hearing was held on this rule on May 27, 2026. The public comment period expired on June 8, 2026. The agency provided the following public comment summary: Commenter’s Name: David W Wroten, Executive Vice President, Arkansas Medical Society COMMENT: The Arkansas Medical Society hereby submits the following comments regarding the proposed rule designed to implement provisions of Act 482 of 2025 and Act 303 and 872 of 2023. These comments specifically address the requirements of Act 482 of 2025 and Act 303 of 2023. Act 303 of 2023 allows physician assistants to be identified as the treating provider in billing and claims processes and to file claims as the billing provider for medical services delivered by the physician. Subsequently, in 2025, Act 482 allows physician assistants to be recognized as primary care providers authorized to carry out the responsibilities of a primary care case manager under the Arkansas Medicaid program. The Arkansas Medical Society supported the passage of both statutes with the requirement that the physician assistant obtain the approval of his or her supervising physician. Both Acts contain specific language requiring authorization from the sup

Experimental. Compiled from public records; inaccuracies may occur. Verify with official sources.

Physician Assistants and Clinical Nurse Specialists as Primary Care Providers (Concerning 20 CAR pts. 570, 600, 608, 610, 611, 614, 619, 622, 624, 625, 628, 631, 636, 646, 650, 654, 655)

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