Legislature(2025 - 2026)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/15/2025 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| University of Alaska Finance Budget Subcommittee of the Whole Close-out | |
| SB92 | |
| SB137 | |
| SB133 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 92 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 137 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 133 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 133
"An Act relating to prior authorization requests for
medical care covered by a health care insurer;
relating to a prior authorization application
programming interface; relating to step therapy; and
providing for an effective date."
9:45:45 AM
SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, SPONSOR, introduced the bill. The
bill dealt with prior authorization and focused on the
process before someone received medical care. He discussed
long wait times prior to insurance approval for vital
health care. He relayed that medical providers, hospitals,
and insurance companies had met over the course of the
previous interim and summer to streamline the prior
authorization system. The bill established a timeframe for
approvals, specific communication requirements, and
deadlines. If insurance did not approve healthcare nor
receive a response, it would default to care being
provided. The bill encouraged the use of electronic data
transmission through the insurer's website or portal, and
the bill provided the director of insurance with the
authority to monitor compliance and provide enforcement. He
relayed that the director was available for questions.
9:48:14 AM
JARED KOSIN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ALASKA
HOSPITAL AND HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION, commented in support
of the bill. He strongly supported the bill, which sought
the reform of the prior authorization process. He thought
the current process was useful but flawed, in that it could
lead to long delays. He recognized that the bill was a
collaborative effort to improve thew process for patients.
The bill would speed up the process from 5 working days to
72 hours and would provide long-term approvals for chronic
conditions. He thought the bill was comprehensive and had
many stakeholders in support.
9:49:54 AM
GARY STRANNIGAN, PREMERA BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF
ALASKA, EVERETT, WASHINGTON (via teleconference), relayed
that Premera was a non-profit health plan that had been
serving Alaskans since before statehood. He relayed that
Premera felt that efforts to promote the affordability of
its products was key to continuing to provide care. He
discussed affordability restricting access to healthcare.
He thought it was well-publicized that some carriers had
been aggressive and using prior authorization for 20
percent of all claims, while Premera used it for 2 percent.
He thought the bill would help providers modernize and
streamline the process. He thought the bill would help
incentivize the adoption of an electronic process. He
thought the bill represented a set of reasonable
compromises by all parties.
Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony.
Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Kiehl reviewed FN 1, a zero fiscal note from the
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
SB 133 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.