The Emerging Therapies Act of 2017 has become law in Arkansas, meaning emerging regenerative therapies will be included in state employee health insurance moving forward.
Here are five things to know:
1. Arkansas is the first state to include regenerative injection therapies as a treatment for orthopedic conditions in state employee health insurance.
2. Regenerative medicine may be utilized as an alternative to surgery or pharmaceuticals for orthopedic conditions.
3. The American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine supported the bill and its President-Elect Thomas Bond said, "The [law] is revolutionary in both vision and scope. Its implementation will forge a new path in healthcare delivery, and we are inspired by as well as committed to its success going forward."
4. The state could potentially save $100 million by granting access to regenerative injection therapies to state employees and teachers.
5. Platelet rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate concentrate and amniotic tissue, which save up to 80 percent of surgical costs and rarely cause complications, will now be utilized more in Arkansas.
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