Making improvements to transparency and accountability in the prior authorization determination process.

HB 1566 requires health insurance companies in Washington to improve transparency in prior authorization decisions for medical treatments and drugs. It sets strict time limits: insurers must decide on electronic standard requests within 3 days and expedited requests within 1 day, with clear communication if more information is needed. The bill mandates that insurers provide evidence-based clinical criteria (updated annually to address health disparities) and include provider credentials when denying requests. It also restricts insurers from changing prior authorization policies more than quarterly, requiring 45 days' notice to providers for most updates. This directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and patients receiving covered care.