Commercial healthcare reimbursement in Arkansas
How Arkansas compares with the nation, by payer, specialty and procedure.
Arkansas at a glance
What the data shows
Arkansas ranks 36th of 51 states for commercial reimbursement, with an index of 93 (100 = national median) across 228 procedure codes; the South region averages 94.
Commercial rates in Arkansas run a median 144% of Medicare.
UnitedHealthcare has the highest index in the state (111) and Blue Cross Blue Shield the lowest (80), a 31-point gap, in the files analyzed.
CPT 92136 (Ophthalmic biometry) is the strongest relative to the national median (117% of it, a 17% premium); CPT 92235 (Fluorescein angrph mltiframe) is furthest below (69% of the national median, 31% lower).
By specialty, Arkansas is strongest for ophthalmology (ranks 29th of 50 states for that specialty) and weakest for gastroenterology (46th of 50).
Against Medicare, gastroenterology has the highest ratio in Arkansas (180% of Medicare) and dermatology the lowest (96%).
Payer ranking in Arkansas
| Payer | Index | Rank | Level | Codes | Providers | TINs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | 111 | 1 | 228 | 680 | 376 | |
| Cigna | 100 | 2 | 227 | 717 | 410 | |
| Aetna | 86 | 3 | 227 | 549 | 390 | |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 80 | 4 | 117 | 181 | 256 |
Reimbursement index by specialty in Arkansas
| Specialty | Index | Rank among states | % of Medicare | Level | Codes | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmology | 94 | 29 of 50 | 111% | 42 | 92 | |
| Cardiology | 93 | 35 of 51 | 139% | 38 | 120 | |
| Internal medicine | 88 | 37 of 51 | 111% | 25 | 121 | |
| Dermatology | 91 | 38 of 50 | 96% | 44 | 65 | |
| Diagnostic radiology | 91 | 39 of 51 | 149% | 49 | 122 | |
| Orthopedic surgery | 91 | 39 of 51 | 142% | 39 | 120 | |
| Urology | 90 | 40 of 50 | 143% | 37 | 67 | |
| Gastroenterology | 84 | 46 of 50 | 180% | 36 | 81 |
Specialty by payer in Arkansas
| Specialty | UHC | Aetna | Cigna | BCBS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internal medicine | 111 | 72 | 90 | 83 |
| Dermatology | 104 | 80 | 87 | n/a |
| Ophthalmology | 95 | 89 | 92 | n/a |
| Cardiology | 111 | 77 | 96 | 77 |
| Orthopedic surgery | 100 | 75 | 91 | 94 |
| Diagnostic radiology | 108 | 87 | 95 | 69 |
| Urology | 113 | 71 | 84 | n/a |
| Gastroenterology | 101 | 70 | 83 | n/a |
Arkansas compared with South region states
| State | Index | Rank | % of Medicare | Providers | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 93 | 36 | 144% | 788 | |
| West Virginia | 93 | 34 | 146% | 608 | |
| South Carolina | 92 | 38 | 140% | 872 | |
| Virginia | 91 | 39 | 139% | 907 | |
| Tennessee | 96 | 29 | 143% | 944 | |
| Louisiana | 89 | 41 | 132% | 917 |
Procedures that pay most and least in Arkansas vs the nation
Highest vs national
| Code | Arkansas | National | Gap | Prov. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92136 Ophthalmic biometry | $80 | $69 | +17% | 92 |
| 92250 Fundus photography w/i&r | $60 | $53 | +13% | 92 |
| 76512 Oph us dx b-scan | $76 | $70 | +8% | 92 |
| 88342 Imhchem/imcytchm 1st antb | $103 | $95 | +8% | 65 |
| 37243 Vasc embolize/occlude organ | $910 | $858 | +6% | 117 |
| 77049 Mri breast c-+ w/cad bi | $583 | $558 | +5% | 117 |
| 65855 Trabeculoplasty laser surg | $321 | $307 | +5% | 91 |
| 13152 Cmplx rpr e/n/e/l 2.6-7.5 cm | $517 | $498 | +4% | 65 |
| 77066 Dx mammo incl cad bi | $234 | $225 | +4% | 117 |
| 12052 Intmd rpr face/mm 2.6-5.0 cm | $300 | $289 | +4% | 65 |
| 12042 Intmd rpr n-hf/genit2.6-7.5 | $294 | $285 | +3% | 65 |
| 77067 Scr mammo bi incl cad | $188 | $182 | +3% | 116 |
| 77065 Dx mammo incl cad uni | $184 | $179 | +3% | 116 |
| 33285 Insj subq car rhythm mntr | $139 | $135 | +3% | 119 |
| 96372 Ther/proph/diag inj sc/im | $25 | $24 | +3% | 121 |
Lowest vs national
| Code | Arkansas | National | Gap | Prov. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92235 Fluorescein angrph mltiframe | $100 | $145 | -31% | 92 |
| 43239 Egd biopsy single/multiple | $250 | $349 | -29% | 81 |
| 43235 Egd diagnostic brush wash | $220 | $294 | -25% | 81 |
| 99490 Chrnc care mgmt staff 1st 20 | $45 | $60 | -25% | 385 |
| 96413 Chemo iv infusion 1 hr | $158 | $204 | -22% | 81 |
| 11102 Tangntl bx skin single les | $50 | $65 | -22% | 65 |
| 11104 Punch bx skin single lesion | $63 | $81 | -22% | 65 |
| 45384 Colonoscopy w/lesion removal | $411 | $519 | -21% | 81 |
| 43255 Egd control bleeding any | $363 | $459 | -21% | 81 |
| 26055 Incise finger tendon sheath | $491 | $614 | -20% | 119 |
| 76775 Us exam abdo back wall lim | $74 | $92 | -20% | 66 |
| 99495 Transj care mgmt mod f2f 14d | $171 | $211 | -19% | 121 |
| 99213 Office o/p est low 20 min | $70 | $86 | -19% | 786 |
| 93298 Rem interrog dev eval scrms | $42 | $52 | -19% | 120 |
| 45378 Diagnostic colonoscopy | $333 | $408 | -18% | 81 |
Frequently asked questions
How do commercial reimbursement rates in Arkansas compare with the rest of the country?
Arkansas ranks 36th of 51 states with an index of 93, across 228 procedure codes. Median commercial rates run 144% of the Medicare rate.
Which payer has the highest rates in Arkansas?
In the files we analyzed, UnitedHealthcare has the highest index (111) and Blue Cross Blue Shield the lowest (80). Each payer's figures describe the specific plans and networks in the files used, not its whole book of business.
Which specialty has the strongest rates in Arkansas?
Ophthalmology ranks 29th of 50 states.
How many providers does this Arkansas page cover?
788 sampled providers across 4 payers. The data comes from a random sample of providers, so counts describe the sample, not every provider in the state.
Which procedures differ most between Arkansas and the national median?
CPT 92136 (Ophthalmic biometry) is highest relative to the nation at 117% of the national median; CPT 92235 (Fluorescein angrph mltiframe) is lowest at 69%.
Methodology
- Source: in-network negotiated-rate files published under the federal Transparency in Coverage rule, August 2026 snapshot: UnitedHealthcare Choice plans (74 files); Aetna commercial plans (70 files); Cigna national PPO (1 files); BCBS licensees' own-network files (5,387 files). Payer comparisons describe these files, not each payer's entire book of business.
- Sample: rates come from a random sample of up to 150 providers per state and specialty. Counts on this page are sampled providers and TINs, not totals.
- Which providers count: only providers in a specialty relevant to the code, because a rate in a payer file attaches to a provider group and is listed under every provider in that group.
- Filters: fee-for-service, professional billing class, no modifier, negotiated or fee-schedule dollar rates. Rates outside 1% to 1,000% of the Medicare rate are excluded.
- Statistic: one median rate per provider, then percentiles across providers. A cell is shown only with at least 15 sampled providers and 4 TINs.
- Medicare benchmark: CY2026 national physician fee schedule, non-QPP conversion factor, unadjusted for locality. Where the non-facility rate is more than twice the facility rate (office rates that include device or supply cost), the facility rate is used so comparisons are like for like.
Benchmark your Arkansas contracts
Compare your negotiated rates with these state medians by payer and specialty.