§ 23-79-602 - Diabetes self-management training -- Licensed providers -- Prescription by physician. - Arkansas Statutes

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

(a) Every health insurance policy shall include coverage for one (1) 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 health care professional upon certification by the health care professional providing the training that the insured patient has successfully completed the training.

(b) Every health care insurer shall offer, in addition to the one (1) 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 health care 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 Program as developed by the American Diabetes Association.

(d) Diabetes self-management training shall be provided only upon prescription by a physician licensed under 17-95-201 et seq.

(e) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to prohibit health care insurers from selectively negotiating contracts with qualified providers of diabetes self-management training programs.