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SB476Introduced in the Senate

Health insurance; prior authorization requests reviewed by physician.

Introduced

Introduced by Bill DeSteph, District 20

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Health insurance; prior authorization requests reviewed by physician. Requires a provider contract between a health insurance carrier and a provider to contain provisions requiring (i) any decision to deny a prior authorization request for drug benefits or health care services is made by a licensed physician who is (a) an expert in the treatment of the enrollee's medical condition that is the subject of the prior authorization request and (b) knowledgeable about the recommended health care service or treatment through recent or current actual clinical experience treating patients with the same or similar medical condition of the enrollee and (ii) if the carrier is questioning the medical necessity of the request, the carrier will provide the enrollee's physician an opportunity to discuss the medical necessity of the health care service with the physician who will be responsible for determining authorization of the health care service or drug benefit under review.

Where it stands

Passed by indefinitely in Commerce and Labor (8-Y 6-N)

January 26, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Passed by indefinitely in Commerce and Labor (8-Y 6-N) · January 26, 2026

8

Yes

6

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

15 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

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See how each senator voted

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100972D

  2. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB476)

  4. Passed by indefinitely in Commerce and Labor (8-Y 6-N)

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