A bill for an act relating to prior authorization and utilization review organizations.

SF 231 regulates prior authorization processes by utilization review organizations, directly affecting health care providers and patients. The bill establishes deadlines for prior authorization decisions: 48 hours for urgent requests and 10-15 days for non-urgent requests, with a 24-hour receipt notification. It requires utilization review organizations to annually review and eliminate prior authorization requirements for services routinely approved, unless medically justified. These organizations must also submit annual reports to the insurance commissioner detailing approval rates and decision times, with the commissioner then reporting to the general assembly.