Informal dispute resolution
Effective Oct 27, 2025Ark. R. 2025-27 (eff. October 27, 2025).Arkansas Code § 20-76-201; Arkansas Code § 25-10-129
(a)
- (1) When a psychiatric residential treatment facility does not agree with deficiencies cited on a statement of deficiencies, the psychiatric residential treatment facility may request an informal dispute resolution hearing of the deficiencies in lieu of, or in addition to, a formal appeal.
- (2) The informal dispute resolution process is governed by Arkansas Code § 20-10-1901 et seq.
(b)
- (1) A written request for an informal dispute resolution must be made to the Department of Health within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of the statement of deficiencies.
(2) The request must:
- (A) List all deficiencies the psychiatric residential treatment facility wishes to challenge; and
- (B) Contain a statement whether the psychiatric residential treatment facility wishes the informal dispute resolution hearing to be conducted by telephone conference, by record review, or by an in person meeting in which the parties appear before the impartial decision maker.
- (c) The request for an informal dispute resolution does not alter or postpone the requirement for submission of an acceptable corrective action plan.
- (d) Refutations of allegations or implementation of remedies, similarly, does not substitute for an appeal, or alter/postpone the need to submit an acceptable corrective action plan.