Section 20-77-140 - Primary care provider for Arkansas Medicaid Program - Advanced practice registered nurse(a)(1) The Arkansas Medicaid Program shall recognize an advanced practice registered nurse licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing for all purposes as a primary care provider authorized to carry out the duties of a primary care case manager, except as provided under subdivision (a)(3) of this section.(2) Purposes under subdivision (a)(1) of this section include without limitation:(A) Being recognized as the initial healthcare provider in the program;(B) Performing initial diagnosis;(C) Acting as the team leader of family practice professionals and the patient-centered medical home;(D) Maintaining the medical records of a patient;(E) Ordering laboratory tests and records management as needed for patient care;(F) Providing preventive and periodic examinations within primary care;(G) Referring a patient to a physician, a specialist, or a hospital when necessary; and(H) Treating a patient within the scope of practice and licensure of an advanced practice registered nurse.(3) Purposes under subdivision (a)(1) of this section do not include owning a patient-centered medical home.(b) The program shall reimburse an advanced practice registered nurse: (1) Not less than the current reimbursement rate for services performed within the scope of practice and licensure of the advanced practice registered nurse; and(2) One hundred percent (100%) of the physician reimbursement rate for all out-of-pocket costs incurred by the advanced practice registered nurse such as the costs of laboratory tests, X-rays, and any additional tests ordered or conducted by the advanced practice registered nurse.(c) A healthcare insurance policy in which the premiums are paid directly or indirectly by the program also shall recognize and reimburse an advanced practice registered nurse under subsections (a) and (b) of this section.(d) This section does not increase the scope of practice or licensure of an advanced practice registered nurse.Added by Act 2021, No. 569,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021.