An Act relating to prior authorization requests for medical care covered by a health care insurer; relating to a prior authorization application programming interface; relating to step therapy; and providing for an effective date.

SB 133 sets strict timeframes for health insurance companies to process prior authorization requests for medical care and prescription drugs. It requires insurers to respond within 72 hours for standard requests (or 24 hours for urgent cases), provide clear reasons for denials, and automatically approve requests if they miss deadlines. The bill also mandates insurers make their prior authorization standards publicly available online and simplifies the process for healthcare providers. These rules directly affect insurers, healthcare providers, and patients seeking covered medical treatments in Alaska, effective January 1, 2027.