South Carolina House Bill H4562

South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/8/25
• Refer: 5/8/25

Caption

Healthcare Services

Impact

The proposed legislation is set to create significant implications for health insurance policies and the regulatory landscape surrounding healthcare services in South Carolina. By mandating timelines for prior authorization decisions and requiring that certain chronic conditions not necessitate repetitive authorization once initially approved, the bill aims to ensure that patients maintain access to necessary treatments without undue delay. Furthermore, the bill will prohibit health carriers from switching medications designated for patients within a single policy year, thereby supporting better continuity of care for those requiring stable treatment regimens.

Summary

House Bill 4562, known as the 'Patients' Right to Transparency and Timely Access to Healthcare Services Act,' seeks to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to improve the healthcare authorization process. The bill aims to establish clearer guidelines for the prior authorization of medical services and treatments, emphasizing transparency and timely access for patients. Key provisions include the exclusion of certain healthcare providers from prior authorization requirements if they achieve an 80% approval rate for prior authorization requests within a specific time frame. This exemption is designed to streamline care for consistent providers, reducing unnecessary administrative burdens.

Contention

Among the points of contention surrounding HB 4562 are concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding the potential burden placed on insurance companies to adapt to these new regulations. Opponents argue that the changes demand significant adjustments in processes, which could impact the efficiency of review systems. Furthermore, the provision requiring insurance providers to disclose approval and denial rates has raised questions about how much transparency can realistically be integrated into existing operations without compromising the proprietary information of carriers. Ensuring that these provisions do not inadvertently lead to over-regulation is a key concern of those evaluating the bill.