Medicaid
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Unveils New Medicaid Work Requirement Plan
The "Pathway to Prosperity" program would use automated tracking and coaching instead of terminating coverage, aiming to avoid legal challenges that blocked previous attempts. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
Arkansas Hospitals Brace for More Insurer Showdowns Amid Financial Recovery
Hospitals in Arkansas and nationwide are improving financially but still face challenges, including insurance disputes, staffing shortages, and financial uncertainties in 2025. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield Lays Off About 75 Workers, Reports $100M Loss
The state's dominant health insurance carrier cited rising health care costs and membership declines as key factors. read more >
by Gwen Moritz, Mark Friedman -
Arkansas Gets $17M Federal Grant to Support Maternal Health Initiatives
The grant will provide state Medicaid funding over 10 years with a goal of reducing disparities in access and treatment for pregnant women, new mothers and babies. read more >
Tech Meets Recovery: Bentonville-Based Sober Sidekick Reshapes Sobriety Support
Sober Sidekick, a Bentonville sobriety app with 500,000 users, uses peer support and data to reduce relapse rates and transform addiction care. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
Report Calls for Medicaid Changes to Address Maternal Health In Arkansas
The report issued by the Arkansas Strategic Committee for Maternal Health did not call for expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year, an expansion adopted by nearly every other state but opposed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. read more >
Arkansas Doulas Form Group, Search for Director
Part of the job will be lobbying the state’s Medicaid program and private insurers to pay for doulas’ services. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Prioritize Maternal Health to Grow the Economy (Olivia Walton Commentary)
Maternal health solutions can improve outcomes, strengthen families and help Arkansas prosper. read more >
by Olivia Walton -
Death to the Fiscal (Hunter Field Editor’s Note)
Arkansas’ fiscal session wastes time and money every other year. We should scrap it. read more >
by Hunter Field -
Hyatt May Face 200 Lawsuits by Ex-Patients
Dr. Brian Hyatt, the former chair of the Arkansas State Medical Board, is facing 102 lawsuits from former patients, and attorneys anticipate filing another 100 cases against him. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Reading The Future: Health Care (40 Years of Arkansas Business)
“I think there could be possibly more mergers or management agreements with hospitals that are facing financial challenges.” said Bo Ryall, President & CEO of the Arkansas Hospital Association. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Healthcare Havoc: Arkansas Institutions Grapple with Aftermath of Cyberattack
The Feb. 21 cyberattack squeezed cash flow to hospitals and prevented dozens of physicians and pharmacists from collecting millions of dollars’ worth of claims. The full scale of the attack’s damage may not be fully calculated for months. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Hospitals Must Obtain Written Consent for Pelvic and Similar Exams, The Federal Government Says
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the guidance was issued to “reiterate and provide clarity” regarding hospital consent requirements. read more >
by Associated Press -
Medicaid Inspector General Suspends Medicaid Payments to Little Rock Doctor Pending Investigation
The inspector general found a "credible allegation of fraud" against Dr. Alonzo Williams, who practices at the Arkansas Diagnostic Center. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
State to Receive $191K From Medicaid Fraud Settlement
Publicly traded Lincare, based in Clearwater, Florida, was accused of overbilling Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. read more >
The Legal Saga of LaDonna Humphrey, and the Boss She Brought Down
Arkansas Business reviewed hundreds of pages of transcripts and court documents to track the rise and fall of a business that quickly outgrew its management and the role a disgruntled employee played in its collapse. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Arkansas Heart Hospital CEO Lobbies for Higher Reimbursement Rates Amidst Layoffs
New legislation is being drafted that would force insurers to pay Arkansas hospitals the average being paid in border states. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Helena Hospital Sold and Renamed
Progressive Health Group purchased the hospital from Quorum Health of Brentwood, Tennessee, and is under contract with the city of Helena. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Dr. Brian Hyatt’s Trial Date Set for September
A jury trial has been set to commence Sept. 17 in the criminal case of Dr. Brian Hyatt, the former chair of the state Medical Board. read more >
Baptist Health Battles UnitedHealthcare Over Reimbursement Rates
Baptist, the state’s largest health care provider, says it and other hospital groups have faced “unprecedented” costs to cover wages, supplies and pharmaceuticals since the pandemic, but has seen stingy reimbursement deals from insurers. read more >
by Mark Friedman -