Bill > HB1448

This bill aims to improve access to behavioral health services in Illinois by prohibiting prior authorization and utilization management controls for such services starting January 1, 2026. The bill defines behavioral health services as any service intended to treat mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders across an individual's entire life span. For all group and individual health insurance policies and managed care plans, insurers will be prohibited from imposing prior authorization or utilization management controls on covered behavioral health services. The bill affects multiple areas of Illinois law, including the State Employees Group Insurance Act, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, and the Public Aid Code. To ensure compliance, the Department of Insurance and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services are granted authority to establish complaint processes, investigate violations, issue cease and desist orders, and impose administrative fines up to $250,000 for repeated violations. The bill explicitly states that its provisions should not conflict with federal laws and aims to remove barriers to timely mental health and substance use disorder treatments.

Health and Social Services

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1448&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104