State Legislation

CorVel helps reduce workers’ compensation costs through immediate intervention, claims management, medical treatment plans and return to work programs. Our cost containment solutions are based on a simple formula that combines industry leading bill review, case management expertise and a national PPO network built for the casualty market. Each innovation offers Arkansas employers improved return to work outcomes and industry leading savings.

CorVel specializes in applying advanced communication and information technology to improve disability management for Arkansas employers. Our proprietary solutions can be tailored to your specific state risk management program.

As a service to our clients, CorVel is providing links to information related to the COVID-19 pandemic provided by the states.

Legislature Status: The legislative fiscal session began April 8. The General Assembly is not expected to meet for as long as in previous fiscal sessions. During the fiscal session, the legislature can only address budget and appropriation bills. Members can vote remotely.

• Arkansas Department of Health Coronavirus Resource Page
• April 14, 2020 – The Governor issued an executive order allowing health workers and first responders, such as firefighters, to file worker’s compensation claims if they are infected while on the job.
• April 14, 2020 – The Governor issued an executive order granting healthcare workers immunity from liability in coronavirus cases.
• April 13, 2020 – The Governor announced the formation of the Governor’s Medical Advisory Committee for Post-Peak COVID-19 Response. The committee will identify the criteria to guide public health strategy after Arkansas reaches its peak cases

Legislation

• HR 1001 Provides for a temporary emergency procedure of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Second General Assembly. Adopted.
• SB 2/HB 1001 Creates the COVID 19 Rainy Day Fund; transfers funds to the COVID 19 Rainy Day Fund; declares an emergency. Enacted.
• HR 1004 Authorizes the introduction of a non-appropriation bill to amend the income tax imposed on individuals, trusts, and estates. Pending.
• SR 5 /HR 1005 Authorizes the introduction of a non-appropriation bill to prohibit elective procedures during the Coronavirus Disease 2019, also known as coronavirus, public health emergency. Pending.
• HB 1488 amends AR Code relating to workers’ compensation expansion in response to COVID-19. Enacted.

Arkansas Regulatory Updates 4/20/2023

Arkansas HB 1612 – To Amend Portions of the Law Regarding Certain Workers’ Compensation Payments Under the Workers’ Compensation Law That Resulted from Initiated Measure 1948, No. 4.

Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)

Summary:

This measure removes the 66% of weekly wages maximum caps on workers’ compensation payable for disability. It also removes obsolete and outdated sections. It does not list an effective date.

Most Recent Update:

3/28/2023 This measure has been scheduled for a hearing on April 4 in the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor, chaired by Representative Lee Johnson (R.) The Arkansas legislature is meeting in-person for the 2023 legislative session, however committee hearings will have a limited capacity for in-person participation. Anyone wishing to testify of a measure must do so in-person either by signing up online www.arkleg.state.ar.us by selecting the agenda for the hearing or by signing up in-person at the hearing. A vote may occur at the discretion of the chair.

HB 1611 – To Amend Portions of the Workers’ Compensation Law That Resulted from Initiated Measure 1948, No. 4.; and to Allow Attorney’s Fees to Be Awarded on Medical Benefits or Services Awarded Under the Workers’ Compensation Law.

Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)

Summary:

This measure removes the restriction on awarding attorney’s fees on workers’ compensation medical benefits. It does not list an effective date.

Most Recent Update:

4/04/2023 This measure has been scheduled for a hearing on April 4 in the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor, chaired by Representative Lee Johnson (R.) The Arkansas legislature is meeting in-person for the 2023 legislative session, however committee hearings will have a limited capacity for in-person participation. Anyone wishing to testify of a measure must do so in-person either by signing up online www.arkleg.state.ar.us by selecting the agenda for the hearing or by signing up in-person at the hearing. A vote may occur at the discretion of the chair.

SB 390 – To Amend the Civil Penalties and Establish Criminal Penalties Related to Child Labor Violations; and to Clarify the Workers’ Compensation Law Related to Child Labor Resulting from Initiated Act 4 of 1948. 

Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)

Summary:

This measure includes child labor as allowed by industrial education as qualifying for doubled workers’ compensation injury or death benefits afforded to injury or death of a minor. It also modifies other child labor penalties.

Most Recent Update:

3/27/2023 Following passage in the Senate, this measure has been scheduled for a hearing on April 4 in the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor, chaired by Representative Lee Johnson (R.)

Arkansas Regulatory Updates 6/3/2021

SB 507 – To Amend Certain Provisions of Initiated Act 4 of 1948; and to Clarify the Treatment of Durable Medical Equipment Under the Workers’ Compensation Law.

Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)

Summary:

This measure requires durable medical equipment and supplies to be reimbursed at the bill charges or 100 percent of the applicable Medicare allowable amount. This measure is applicable to healthcare workers and Medicare. This measure requires that durable medical equipment and medical supplies, including home durable medical equipment and infusion and oxygen services other than implantables, be reimbursed at the lesser of the billed charges or 100 percent of the applicable Medicare allowable amount when the durable medical equipment and medical supplies are not included in the carrier’s negotiated fee schedule. This measure provides no effective date.

Most Recent Update:

4/19/2021 This measure was withdrawn from the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee and referred for an interim study. This measure is likely to receive consideration in the interim.

Arkansas Regulatory Updates 5/5/2021

SB 507 – To Amend Certain Provisions of Initiated Act 4 of 1948; and to Clarify the Treatment of Durable Medical Equipment Under the Workers’ Compensation Law.

Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)

Summary:

This measure requires durable medical equipment and supplies to be reimbursed at the bill charges or 100 percent of the applicable Medicare allowable amount. This measure is applicable to healthcare workers and Medicare. This measure requires that durable medical equipment and medical supplies, including home durable medical equipment and infusion and oxygen services other than implantables, be reimbursed at the lesser of the billed charges or 100 percent of the applicable Medicare allowable amount when the durable medical equipment and medical supplies are not included in the carrier’s negotiated fee schedule. This measure provides no effective date.

Most Recent Update:

4/12/2021 This measure has been heard by the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee, chaired by Senator Cecile Bledsoe (R). This measure awaits further consideration before the committee of referral at the discretion of the chair.

Arkansas Regulatory Updates 4/2/2021

HB 1488 – To Amend Certain Provisions of Arkansas Code That Resulted from Initiated Act 4 of 1948; to Clarify the Workers’ Compensation Law; and to Declare an Emergency.

Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)

Summary:

This measure amends Arkansas Code relating to workers’ compensation expansion in response to COVID-19. This measure expands workers’ compensation benefits to employees for injury or illness sustained through the course of employment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This measure will take immediate effect and applies retroactively from March 11, 2020, and will remain in effect for claims filed until May 1, 2023.

Most Recent Update:

3/15/2021 This measure has been signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson (R). This measure is effective upon the Governor’s signature.

SB 507 – To Amend Certain Provisions of Initiated Act 4 of 1948; and to Clarify the Treatment of Durable Medical Equipment Under the Workers’ Compensation Law.

Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)

Summary:

This measure requires durable medical equipment and supplies to be reimbursed at the bill charges or 100 percent of the applicable Medicare allowable amount. This measure is applicable to healthcare workers and Medicare. This measure requires that durable medical equipment and medical supplies, including home durable medical equipment and infusion and oxygen services other than implantables, be reimbursed at the lesser of the billed charges or 100 percent of the applicable Medicare allowable amount when the durable medical equipment and medical supplies are not included in the carrier’s negotiated fee schedule. This measure provides no effective date.

Most Recent Update:

3/9/2021 This measure has been referred to the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee, chaired by Senator Cecile Bledsoe (R). The sponsor does not serve on the committee. This measure awaits further consideration before the committee of referral at the discretion of the chair.

Certified Managed Care Organization

Arkansas Rule 33 provides voluntary participation for employers to direct patient care. Participation in a MCO gives employers control over care of the injured worker for the duration of the claim. The legislation mandates the employee continue treatment within the employer’s approved network unless the treating physician regularly treats the employee and with whom the employee has an established doctor-patient relationship. The treating physician must still agree to recommend additional care within the network. Visit www.awcc.state.ar.us/ for additional information about the Arkansas state requirements.

We are here to help.
This is an optional program and all Arkansas employers must register with the state. CorVel has been a state certified Managed Care Organization (MCO) since September 1995 and offers assistance for Arkansas employers. Learn more our workers’ compensation solutions or contact a local representative for additional information.

Arkansas Services

• Workers’ compensation claims administration and medical bill review
• State-approved utilization management
• Local provider network development
• Annual reporting and commissioner audits