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Senate committee advances bill requiring insurers to offer "gold card" prior-authorization programs
Summary
The Georgia Senate Insurance and Labor Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 5, which would require health insurers that use prior authorization to implement so-called "gold card" programs and file program criteria with the Department of Insurance; the bill lists an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026, and a first filing deadline of July 1, 2026.
The Georgia Senate Insurance and Labor Committee on Oct. 12 passed a motion to advance Senate Bill 5, a measure that would require health insurers who use prior authorization to adopt a "gold card" program and submit the program criteria to the state Department of Insurance.
Senator Kirkpatrick, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure is largely the same as legislation considered last year and would require insurers that use prior authorization to establish a fast-track approval program for providers who consistently follow evidence-based medicine. "This bill requires health insurers that utilize prior authorization to have such a program and to provide the criteria to the department of insurance," Kirkpatrick said. "The bill's effective January 1, 2026, and the first filing would be due July 1, 2026." She said she worked with the insurance commissioner and the industry on the language and asked for the committee's favorable consideration.
Jesse Wellington, president and CEO of the Georgia Association of Health Plans, spoke in support at the committee hearing and thanked Kirkpatrick for negotiating with the industry. "We just want to extend our gratitude to the sponsor for working with us on this bill," Wellington said. He told senators that members of his association had concerns that were addressed during negotiations.
Committee members discussed practical matters: one senator asked how many carriers in Georgia lack a gold card program and whether the filing timetable would be achievable. Wellington said he would need to check specific market segments and that some carriers may offer such programs in certain lines (for example, Medicare Advantage) but not uniformly across all products.
Senator Robertson moved that the committee report the bill favorably with a "do pass" recommendation; Senator Harbison seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The hearing record does not include a roll-call tally.
The bill text in the hearing defines the prior-authorization "gold card" as a fast-track process for providers who consistently adhere to evidence-based medicine, reducing administrative burden and approval time. The sponsor said carriers across the country are scaling back prior-authorization programs and that the bill aims to save time and administrative costs for both providers and insurers, with an asserted benefit to consumers seeking care.
The committee record shows the sponsor and industry representatives discussed implementation details including which market segments would be covered and the dates listed in the bill, but the transcript does not record additional technical amendments or a floor schedule. The Department of Insurance is the agency named in the bill for receiving program criteria filings.
