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House approves prior-authorization reforms aimed at reducing health-care delays
Summary
Lawmakers passed House Bill 220 to reform insurer and Medicaid prior-authorization processes: honoring previous dosage approvals, naming peer reviewers, banning appeal fees and strengthening protections against retroactive denials, proponents said; the bill passed 80–11.
On March 24 the Ohio House passed House Bill 220, a set of reforms aimed at reducing delays caused by prior authorization requirements in insurance and Medicaid. Sponsors said the bill balances necessary utilization controls with timely access to care for patients.
Representative Workman, the sponsor, summarized four key components: honoring dosage changes without restarting the process, identifying the specialty of clinical peers reviewing appeals, banning fees for appealing denials, and limiting retroactive denials for chronic conditions. "Every day, Ohio doctors and patients battle insurance paperwork that delays treatment," Workman said, arguing the changes will reduce administrative burdens and speed care.
Supporters noted unanimous committee approval and endorsements from medical associations; opponents on the floor raised cost and implementation concerns. The final recorded vote was 80 affirmative and 11 negative, meeting the constitutional majority requirement.
Proponents said the bill preserves consumer protections while streamlining administrative hurdles that can impede timely care, especially for mental-health and substance-use services.
