MedicaidPrior AuthHigh impact
New Process for Requesting Prior Authorizations for Surgical Procedures
Arkansas Medicaid·AR · General Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurosurgery +6 more·Provider Notice
Effective date
Sep 1, 2026
We identified it
Aug 29, 2026
Summary
Arkansas Medicaid is implementing a new Prior Authorization process type (PA Process Type 136) specifically for surgical procedures, effective September 1, 2026. Providers must transition all new surgical procedure prior authorization requests from the Professional Services process type (126) to the new Surgical Procedures process type (136). Requests submitted under the incorrect process type may experience processing delays.
Action Required
By August 31, 2026: Billing team must update all prior authorization submission workflows and staff training materials to route surgical procedure requests to PA Process Type 136 (Surgical Procedures) instead of PA Process Type 126 (Professional Services). Verify that billing software and submission portals (AFMC Web portal and Arkansas Medicaid portal) are configured to use the correct process type. Ensure providers and front desk staff understand that Extension of Benefit requests and Maternity Health Extensions continue to use PA Process Type 126. Beginning September 1, 2026, all new surgical procedure prior authorization requests must be submitted under PA Process Type 136. Requests submitted under the incorrect process type will experience processing delays. Update contact procedures if needed: use toll-free 1-800-426-2234 for surgical procedure prior authorizations with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care.