IN SB0173

Bill

IN SB0173

Health care matters.

Introduced
01/05/2026

In Committee
01/15/2026

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
02/27/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Health care matters. Prohibits: (1) the state employee health plan; (2) the Medicaid program; (3) an accident and sickness insurance policy; and (4) a health maintenance organization individual or group contract; from imposing a time limit on the amount of anesthesia time for a medical procedure or otherwise restricting or excluding coverage or payment of anesthesia time. Modifies the definitions of "charity care" and "community benefits" for purposes of certain hospital reporting requirements. Requires additional reporting of information by nonprofit hospitals to the Indiana department of health (state department). Requires the report to be posted on the nonprofit hospital's website and the state department's website. Increases the penalty for failure to file the report and changes the time frame in which the penalty may be assessed. Specifies that any penalty be deposited in the local public health fund. Allows for certain practitioners to provide neuroplastogen treatment concerning qualified patients with life threatening conditions if certain requirements are met. Allows for research to be conducted on neuroplastogen access. Requires reporting of adverse events and annual reporting of patient statistical information concerning the neuroplastogen treatment. Provides for immunity when treating using neuroplastogens. Requires a clinical peer to disclose certain information for a peer to peer review of an adverse determination. Prohibits a utilization review entity from using artificial intelligence as the primary means for making adverse determinations. Prohibits a health insurer from engaging in certain downcoding practices and sets forth conditions for downcoding a claim. Authorizes the department of insurance to enforce the downcoding requirements and impose certain penalties for a violation. Prohibits an insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, or other administrator of pharmacy benefits from designating a prescription drug as a specialty drug unless certain conditions are met.

AI Summary

This bill aims to enhance healthcare access and patient protections in Indiana by prohibiting certain insurance plans, including the state employee health plan, Medicaid, accident and sickness insurance policies, and health maintenance organization contracts, from imposing time limits or restrictions on anesthesia time for medical procedures. It also modifies the definitions of "charity care" and "community benefits" for hospital reporting, requiring nonprofit hospitals to provide more detailed information to the Indiana Department of Health, which must then be posted online, and increases penalties for failing to file these reports, with penalties going to the local public health fund. Furthermore, the bill allows certain qualified practitioners to provide neuroplastogen treatment, a drug or compound that shows rapid neuroplastic effects and has completed Phase I clinical trials, to patients with life-threatening conditions under specific conditions, permits research on neuroplastogen access, and mandates reporting of adverse events and patient statistics related to this treatment, while also providing immunity for practitioners using neuroplastogens. It also requires clinical peers to disclose their credentials during peer-to-peer reviews of adverse determinations and prohibits utilization review entities from primarily using artificial intelligence for adverse determinations, while also regulating downcoding practices by health insurers to ensure fair payment for medical claims and restricting the designation of prescription drugs as "specialty drugs" unless specific criteria are met.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (3)

Liz Brown (R)*, Ed Charbonneau (R)*, Tyler Johnson (R)*,

Last Action

Senate Appropriations Hearing (08:00:00 1/22/2026 Room 431) (on 01/22/2026)

Official Document

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/173/details

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/173/details
BillText	https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0173/SB0173.02.COMS.pdf
Fiscal Note #1: Senate Comm Sub	https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0173/fiscal-notes/SB0173.02.COMS.FN001.pdf
Senate Committee Report	https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0173/committee-reports/SB0173.01.INTR.CRS001.pdf
Vote Sheet January 14, 2026	https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0173/votesheets/SB0173.01.INTR.01.pdf
Senate Health and Provider Services Amendment #1	https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0173/committee-amendments/amendments/SB0173.01.INTR.AMS01.pdf
Senate Health and Provider Services Amendment #2	https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0173/committee-amendments/amendments/SB0173.01.INTR.AMS02.pdf
Senate Health and Provider Services Amendment #4	https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0173/committee-amendments/amendments/SB0173.01.INTR.AMS04.pdf
Senate Health and Provider Services Amendment #5	https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0173/committee-amendments/amendments/SB0173.01.INTR.AMS05.pdf
BillText	https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0173/SB0173.01.INTR.pdf
Fiscal Note #1: Introduced	https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0173/fiscal-notes/SB0173.01.INTR.FN001.pdf

Bill > SB0173

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

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