Bill > S796

This bill aims to reduce unnecessary delays in patient care by modifying existing healthcare insurance regulations. Specifically, the bill changes the timeframe for prior authorization responses from 2 business days to 24 hours, which means insurance companies and healthcare payers must now respond to completed prior authorization requests from healthcare providers much more quickly. Additionally, the bill prohibits payers and their contracted entities from using appeals processes or other administrative methods to intentionally delay responding to prior authorization requests. To ensure compliance, the bill mandates that the relevant regulatory division will conduct audits to verify that insurance companies are adhering to these new, more stringent response time requirements. The goal of these changes is to streamline the process of obtaining medical treatment approvals, potentially helping patients receive necessary care more rapidly and reducing bureaucratic obstacles in the healthcare system.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S796