NOTICE OF RULE MAKING
The Department of Human Services (DHS) announces for a public comment period of thirty (30) calendar days a notice of rulemaking for the following proposed rule under one or more of the following chapters, subchapters, or sections of the Arkansas Code: §§20-76-201, 20-77-107, and 25-10-129. The projected effective date of the rule is February 1, 2027, if approved. The fiscal impact is $2,858,520.00 for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2027 and $6,860,448.00 for SFY 2028.
The Division of Medical Services (DMS) implements Act 556 of 2025. The Act mandated Medicaid coverage for healthcare services provided in mobile units. This proposed rule allows certain Medicaid providers to provide services to their beneficiaries in mobile units when it is clinically appropriate to do so. A new section regarding mobile units is being added to Arkansas Medicaid Provider Manual, Section I – General Medicaid Policy and the following provider manuals are revised accordingly: Certified Nurse-Midwife; Counseling and Crisis Services; Dental; Federally Qualified Health Centers; Hospital/Critical Access Hospital (CAH)/End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD); Nurse Practitioner; Physician/Independent Lab/CRNA/Radiation Therapy Center; and Rural Health Clinic.
Providers working in mobile units must use mobile units associated with the provider’s enrolled practice, obey any rules set by the Department of Health specific to the type of service provision, and obey all rules related to services specific to the provider’s license. Providers enrolled as Primary Care Providers (PCPs) may serve only beneficiaries assigned to them or their practice through mobile units. PCPs must follow the guidance for PCP substitution detailed in Section I of the Medicaid Provider Manual and obtain required PCP referrals when a patient is not assigned to a provider associated with the mobile unit’s enrolled practice or practices. All services provided in a mobile unit must be provided and billed in accordance with the requirements set out in the applicable Medicaid Provider Manual, as revised in this rule.
The proposed rule is available for review at the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Policy and Rules, 2nd floor Donaghey Plaza South Building, 7th and Main Streets, P. O. Box 1437, Slot S295, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 1437. You may also access and download the proposed rule at ar.gov/dhs-proposed-rules.
Public comments can be submitted in writing at the above address or at the following email address: ORP@dhs.arkansas.gov. All public comments must be received by DHS no later than November 21, 2026. Please note that public comments submitted in response to this notice are considered public documents. A public comment, including the commenter’s name and any personal information contained within the public comment, will be made publicly available and may be seen by various people. A public hearing will be held online by remote access. Public comments may be submitted at the hearing. The details for attending the online public hearing appear at ar.gov/dhspublichearings.
If you need this material in a different format, such as large print, contact the Office of Policy and Rules at 501-320-6428. The Arkansas Department of Human Services is in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act and is operated, managed and delivers services without regard to religion, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, age, race, color or national origin. 4502292178
Elizabeth Pitman, Director
Division of Medical Services
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