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Senate committee advances AI bill that allows automation in prior authorization but bars AI as sole basis for denials
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Summary
Senator Kirkpatrick’s bill to allow artificial intelligence in prior authorization processes advanced out of committee; the measure requires human clinical peer review before any adverse determination and references NIST definitions for AI.
The Senate Insurance and Labor committee advanced a bill from Senator Kirkpatrick to permit use of artificial intelligence tools to speed prior‑authorization decisions while preventing AI from being the only basis for a denial.
In committee, the sponsor said the bill builds on prior changes to prior authorization by preserving human clinical review for adverse decisions: "If there's an adverse determination in this bill, artificial intelligence cannot be the sole basis for denial," the sponsor said. The measure references national definitions developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to clarify terms.
Committee members welcomed potential efficiency gains but pressed on consumer protections. One member asked whether patients should be notified when AI is used and raised concerns about algorithmic bias. The sponsor said approvals could be automated for routine cases, but any denial would be subject to review by a clinical peer, noting the bill’s intent is to protect patients from erroneous denials while permitting automation to reduce delays.
After questions about where a disclosure requirement would fit in the process and whether pricing or discriminatory outcomes could arise, a committee member moved SB444 (LC46137) and members voted to advance the bill to the Rules calendar.
The committee did not adopt additional notification language during this session; sponsor and members indicated they could consider disclosure language in later amendments or committee work.
