Bill > H0788

This bill establishes provisions for an exemption from prior authorization requirements for certain medical services billed to Idaho Medicaid plans for eligible practitioners who provide preceptorships. A preceptorship is defined as a mentoring experience where a preceptor offers personalized instruction and training to graduate students, such as medical students or residents, to help them obtain professional degrees. To qualify for this exemption, an eligible practitioner, which includes physicians, physician's assistants, or advanced practice registered nurses in specific specialties like family medicine, psychiatry, or obstetrics and gynecology, must provide at least 360 hours of preceptorship in a calendar year, with at least 60% of those hours occurring in a qualified rural or underserved area, meaning an area designated as a health professional shortage area or medically underserved area. The practitioner is responsible for tracking these hours and reporting them to the Department of Health and Welfare, which will verify them and grant a twelve-month exemption from prior authorization starting the following calendar year. The department can revoke this exemption if a review of the practitioner's claims shows they have fallen below an acceptable risk-weighted score, but they must provide at least 25 days' notice. There's a limit of 100 eligible practitioners per specialty who can receive this exemption annually, and the department will develop rules for a risk-weighted sampling methodology and scoring system. The bill also declares an emergency and sets an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Health and Social Services

Health and Welfare Committee (House)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/H0788/