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Alaska Senate Passes Legislation to Streamline Medical Prior Authorizations
JUNEAU, AK - The Alaska Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 133, a new law designed to make it faster and easier for Alaskans to get medical care and prescriptions approved by their health insurance.
“Alaskans should not have to fight their insurance company to get the care they need,” said Senator Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, who sponsored the bill. “This bill makes the process clearer and fairer for everyone.”
In many cases, insurance companies require patients to obtain prior authorization before they will cover certain treatments or medications. This process can lead to delays, forcing patients to wait for the care they need. Senate Bill 133 establishes clear deadlines for insurance companies to respond to these requests and requires them to clarify their decisions and keep patients and doctors informed if their rules change.
The bill encourages insurance companies and healthcare providers to use secure online systems to expedite the process, safeguard private health information, and reduce paperwork. It also requires longer terms for approvals for patients with a long-term health condition so they don’t have to keep reapplying for the same treatment.
Importantly, SB 133 protects patients with advanced Stage 4 cancer. It stops insurance companies from forcing these patients to try other treatments first if their doctor already knows what will work best. This means they can start the treatment they need right away.
SB 133 also requires the Division of Insurance to report annually on how well the system is working, including how fast approvals are happening. The Division will also be able to check if insurance companies are following the rules and take action if they aren’t.
The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 19-0 and now heads to the Alaska House of Representatives for further consideration.
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