HB481
Prior authorization; requiring physician review for denial.
Status:
Passed
Latest Action:
March 10, 2026
House: Senate substitute agreed to by House (98-Y 1-N 0-A)
Chief Patron:
Patrick Hope (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Passed House of Origin. Prior authorization; requiring physician review for denial.
Prohibits a health insurance carrier from denying or making an adverse determination of a prior authorization request for prescription drugs or health care services unless such denial has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician or, if a licensed physician is not available, by a licensed pharmacist.-
Bill History
- 01/12/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105194D
- 01/12/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
- 01/19/2026 - House: Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #1
- 01/23/2026 - House: Placed on Labor and Commerce Agenda
- 01/27/2026 - House: House subcommittee offered
- 01/27/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 0-N)
- 01/28/2026 - House: Placed on Labor and Commerce Agenda
- 01/29/2026 - House: Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
- 01/29/2026 - House: Committee substitute printed 26106401D-H1
- 02/02/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/03/2026 - House: Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
- 02/03/2026 - House: Read second time
- 02/03/2026 - House: committee substitute agreed to
- 02/03/2026 - House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute
- 02/04/2026 - House: Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 02/05/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 02/05/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
- 03/02/2026 - Senate: Senate committee offered
- 03/02/2026 - Senate: Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (13-Y 0-N)
- 03/03/2026 - Senate: Committee substitute printed 26108765D-S1
- 03/04/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 03/04/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 03/04/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
- 03/05/2026 - Senate: Read third time
- 03/05/2026 - Senate: Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to
- 03/05/2026 - Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
- 03/05/2026 - Senate: Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 03/05/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB481)
- 03/09/2026 - House: Passed by for the day
- 03/10/2026 - House: Senate substitute agreed to by House (98-Y 1-N 0-A)
