Health insurance; to regulate and modernize the prior authorization process

SB 294 regulates health insurance prior authorization in Alabama by setting strict time limits for insurers to approve or deny requests (72 hours for non-urgent cases, with extensions for complex medical necessity questions). It requires insurers to use licensed physicians or healthcare professionals - not automated systems - to make coverage decisions and mandates that insurers grant "gold card" status to providers with consistently high-quality medical necessity claims, waiving prior authorization for them. The bill directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients by reducing administrative delays for routine care while ensuring decisions are made by qualified medical professionals. It aims to modernize the process without changing coverage rules, focusing on faster access to medically necessary services.