prior authorization

Legislation focused on prior authorization reforms is headed to the governor after Senate lawmakers approved changes to the bill Wednesday. Lawmakers said the bill is an important step in addressing health care costs for Hoosiers.

The Indiana Senate approved a stripped down version of a prior authorization reform bill Thursday. The legislation was heavily amended over fiscal concerns. But, the author of the bill said he disagrees with the original fiscal analysis for the bill.

A "comprehensive plan" to address health care costs was approved by the House Tuesday. The bill tackles costs from more than just one angle — including a prior authorization policy that was removed from a Senate bill last week.

Insurance companies may require what’s known as prior authorization for medical services before they will cover it. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill Thursday to limit the use of the practice for state health plans like Medicaid — but an amendment to the bill stripped several key provisions.

Medical providers say prior authorization creates administrative burdens for them and barriers to care for their patients. A GOP priority bill that would have heavily limited the use of prior authorization did not make it through committee before the Senates deadline.

Insurance companies may require pre-approval for medical services before they will cover it. This is what's known as prior authorization. A Senate committee moved a bill forward that would limit the use of prior authorization.