Bill > HB1333

This bill mandates coverage for breastfeeding and lactation consultant services across various health benefit plans in Arkansas, effective January 1, 2026. The legislation defines key terms such as "breastfeeding and lactation consultant" (including International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and certified lactation counselors who must be supervised by in-network healthcare providers), and specifies that these services include medically appropriate outpatient or hospital services during pregnancy and the extended postpartum period to support milk expression and infant nutrition. The bill requires health benefit plans, including state programs like Medicaid and ARKids First, to provide this coverage without annual deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance limits, and ensures that these new benefits do not reduce existing healthcare coverage. The legislation also authorizes the Insurance Commissioner, the Department of Human Services Secretary, and the State Board of Finance to develop rules for implementing these requirements, with specific provisions for different types of health insurance plans and programs. Notably, the bill excludes certain types of insurance plans from these requirements, such as dental-only, disability income, and specialized disease plans.

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https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1333&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R