SB 128: Makes changes related to health care. (BDR 57-87) - Nevada

Reprint 3 → As Enrolled · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the legal text to reflect the final version of Senate Bill 128, which restricts health insurers from using artificial intelligence or automated tools to deny or modify prior authorization requests for medical care. It also clarifies that insurers must approve covered requests unless a qualified professional determines the care is unnecessary or experimental. Additionally, the bill encourages doctors to discuss stem cell therapy options with patients diagnosed with arthritis or similar conditions.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on health insurance prior authorization rules and stem cell therapy disclosures, but the text now includes specific exemptions for Medicaid recipients and self-insured government plans.

REQUIREMENT

Added a prohibition on using AI or automated tools to deny, modify, or reduce coverage for prior authorization requests.

Added a mandate for insurers to approve prior authorization requests automatically unless a licensed professional determines the care is not medically necessary.

Added a requirement for healthcare providers to inform patients about stem cell therapy options when diagnosing conditions like arthritis.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'artificial intelligence system' and 'automated decision tool' to clarify what technologies are restricted.

ELIGIBILITY

Added an exemption stating that the AI restrictions do not apply to managed care organizations covering Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

TECHNICAL

Updated the header and formatting to reflect the bill's status as 'As Enrolled' with the final chapter number and session details.

As Introduced → Reprint 1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reprinted to reflect amendments that narrow its scope and clarify its language. The changes remove Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program from the list of entities prohibited from using artificial intelligence for prior authorization decisions, limiting the ban to private insurers and public employee plans. Additionally, the text was updated to explicitly include dental care and to require approval for covered care unless a professional deems it unnecessary or experimental.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing Medicaid and CHIP from the restrictions on AI use for prior authorization, applying the ban only to private insurers and public employee insurance plans.

SCOPE

Removed Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program from the list of entities prohibited from using AI for prior authorization decisions.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded the prohibition on AI use to explicitly include dental care in addition to medical care.

Added a new requirement that the prior authorization procedure must not discriminate among licensed providers.

TECHNICAL

Updated the Legislative Counsel's Digest to accurately reflect the narrowed scope and added clarifying language regarding self-insured plans.

Reprint 2 → Reprint 3 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was reprinted with amendments that changed its title to include legislative findings and declarations, and modified the language regarding stem cell discussions from requiring to encouraging physicians and other providers to discuss stem cell options with patients. These changes suggest a shift from mandatory requirements to more advisory language.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on health care prior authorization and stem cell information discussions, but the mandatory nature of the stem cell discussion requirement was softened to an encouragement.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for healthcare providers to discuss stem cell treatment options with patients from mandatory to encouraging language.

Updated the Legislative Counsel's Digest to reflect that sections 9-11 now make legislative findings and declarations rather than imposing strict requirements.

SCOPE

Added legislative findings and declarations section to the bill title, indicating new policy statements supporting the bill's purpose.

Reprint 1 → Reprint 2 · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill's reprint date was updated from April 21, 2025 to May 22, 2025, reflecting new amendments. A key substantive change adds the word 'solely' to prohibit health insurers from using artificial intelligence or automated tools exclusively for denying or modifying prior authorization requests, rather than banning all use of such technology.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on public employee health insurance, but the restriction on AI/automated decision tools is now narrower, allowing insurers to use these tools in combination with human review rather than banning them entirely.

REQUIREMENT

Added the word 'solely' to Section 4, changing the prohibition from banning all use of artificial intelligence or automated decision tools to only banning their exclusive use for prior authorization decisions.

TECHNICAL

Updated reprint date from April 21, 2025 to May 22, 2025, and changed document identifier from FIRST REPRINT to SECOND REPRINT.

Makes changes related to health care. (BDR 57-87)

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