Big Changes Coming for Bariatric Care in Arkansas in 2026

Home
Mercy Newsroom
Big Changes Coming for Bariatric Care in Arkansas in 2026

View All {{ vm.segmentName }} News

Mardi Taylor

[email protected]

Phone: 479-314-6613

Cell: 479-462-7289

Ashley Siwiec

[email protected]

Cell: 479-381-2333

Quick Facts: Fort Smith, Northwest AR

See All Media Contacts

There’s good news on the horizon for those who have been considering bariatric surgery. Starting Jan.1, 2026, Arkansas will roll out a new law that makes it easier for people to access weight-loss surgery and the care that goes with it.

Under the new law, insurance companies and Medicaid will be required to cover bariatric procedures, including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric banding. The law also covers important pre-op steps like nutritional counseling and psychological evaluations, plus post-op follow-ups to help patients stay on track.

Who qualifies? Adults with a BMI of 40 or higher, or 35 and above with health conditions like diabetes or sleep apnea.

Why does this matter? Severe obesity isn’t just about weight. It’s linked to serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes and sleep apnea. By making these procedures more accessible, the state hopes to improve long-term health outcomes and even reduce overall health care costs. (One thing to note: the law doesn’t require coverage for weight-loss medications.)

The new law aims to treat severe obesity as a chronic condition, not just an elective choice, and seeks to improve long-term health outcomes by reducing risks for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnea and some cancers. It also may also lead to long-term cost savings, as successful bariatric surgery often reduces the need for ongoing medication and frequent medical visits.

At Mercy, specialists take time to understand each patient’s unique needs. Through a thorough consultation, specialists help determine if bariatric surgery is the right choice. Mercy handles even the most complex cases in adults and partners with them every step of the way to achieve lasting, healthy results. Guidance through phone consultations and an online seminar are available for those interested in the procedure.

Want to dive deeper into what’s coming in 2026? Find out more from 5NEWS Online: New Arkansas law requires weight-loss surgery to be covered by insurance

Mercy, one of the 15 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized care and one of the nation’s largest and highest performing Accountable Care Organizations in quality and cost. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including 55 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has over 1,000 physician practice locations and outpatient facilities, more than 5,000 physicians and advanced practitioners and more than 50,000 caregivers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In fiscal year 2025 alone, Mercy provided more than half a billion dollars of free care and other community benefits, including traditional charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid.