Why 4/5: It directly impacts how health insurance denials are processed, affecting patient access to care and provider workflows.
This bill mandates that health insurance carriers must have a licensed physician, or other appropriate medical professional, review and approve any denial of a prior authorization request for prescription drugs or healthcare services. This operational change aims to ensure clinical expertise is applied to prior authorization denials, potentially improving patient access to necessary medical care and medications.
Third reading
Read third time
Update
Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to
Substitute adopted
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
Passed a chamber
Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Update
Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB481)
Update
Passed by for the day
Substitute adopted
Senate substitute agreed to by House (98-Y 1-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Enrolled
Passed a chamber
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB481ER)
This bill has passed its votes and is headed to the Governor's desk. You still have a say — the Governor's office reads messages before deciding whether to sign.
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Summarized from the official bill text (“Prior authorization; requiring physician review for denial.”) · Read the actual bill →
Passed a chamber
Signed by President
Passed a chamber
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Sent to the Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Update
Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB481)
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 925 (effective 7/1/2026)