An Act To Amend Title 18 And Title 29 Of The Delaware Code Relating To The Delaware Pre Authorization Act Of 2025.
The impact of SB12 on state laws includes amendments to existing statutes in Title 18 and Title 29 of the Delaware Code, which regulate health insurance and pre-authorization practices. By reforming these regulations, the bill aims to facilitate healthcare access, reduce administrative burdens on physicians, and improve the overall patient experience. Supporters of the bill argue that it will enhance healthcare delivery by decreasing wait times for necessary treatments and potentially mitigating the risk of adverse medical outcomes associated with delayed care.
Senate Bill 12, also known as the Delaware Pre-Authorization Reform Act of 2025, aims to address significant concerns surrounding healthcare pre-authorization processes in Delaware. The legislation stems from a 2023 survey indicating that a large percentage of physicians experience substantial delays due to insurance pre-authorization requirements, which adversely affect patient care. The bill seeks to streamline these processes by implementing stricter timelines for insurance companies and healthcare providers to grant pre-authorizations and ensuring that patients can access necessary medical care more swiftly. Significant changes include extending the validity of pre-authorizations from 60 days to 90 days and limiting the number of pre-authorizations required for a single episode of care to one.
The sentiment around SB12 appears to be predominantly positive among healthcare providers and advocates seeking to improve patient care. Legislative discussions reflect a recognition of the burdensome nature of current pre-authorization processes, which many believe contribute to inefficient healthcare delivery. However, there may also be concerns from insurance industry representatives about the potential impacts on administrative procedures and costs, indicating a mixed sentiment from stakeholders involved in the healthcare system.
Notable points of contention regarding SB12 revolve around balancing the interests of patients and healthcare providers with those of insurers. While the proactive measures of the bill are aimed at ensuring timely medical care, critics might argue that reducing oversight could lead to increased costs and complexity in the insurance process. Additionally, there may be concerns about how effectively the new requirements will be enforced and whether they will indeed result in genuine improvements in patient care outcomes.