MedicaidCoverageMedium impact
Ambulance Services Exemptions from Telemedicine Requirements for Triage, Treat and Transport
Arkansas Medicaid·AR · Emergency Medicine·Claims & Billing
Effective date
Jul 1, 2026
We identified it
Jun 28, 2026
Summary
Effective July 1, 2026, ambulance services in Arkansas are now exempt from telemedicine coordination requirements for triage, treat, and transport when they adopt Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council protocols for 9-1-1 emergency situations, with medical director approval. This allows ambulance providers to bypass telemedicine requirements under specific emergency protocols.
Action Required
By June 30, 2026: Billing team must verify whether your ambulance service provider has adopted EMS Advisory Council protocols for emergency exemptions. If applicable, update billing system logic to remove telemedicine coordination requirements for ground ambulance triage, treat, and transport claims (Section 214.100 and 214.110) that qualify under adopted protocols. Confirm with your medical director which protocols your service has adopted and ensure claims documentation reflects protocol adoption. Coordinate with transportation/ambulance providers to obtain written confirmation of adopted protocols for audit purposes.