TO AMEND THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TRANSPARENCY ACT.

HB 1301 amends Arkansas' Prior Authorization Transparency Act to clarify rules for healthcare providers and insurers regarding prior authorization requests. It requires insurers to approve at least 80% of prior authorization requests for a specific service to qualify for provider exemptions, and sets a 12-month window for providers to request new evaluations after a denial. The bill also modifies the appeals process, requiring insurers to pay 50% of independent review costs if they successfully overturn a prior authorization denial. These changes aim to increase transparency and reduce unnecessary denials in healthcare coverage decisions.