Signed by Governor Joseph Lombardo

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires health insurers and Medicaid to respond to prior authorization requests within 2 business days and prohibits them from requiring it for preventive care, pediatric hospice, newborn withdrawal treatment, substance use care, and diabetes test strips in Nevada.

Highlights:

• Requires insurers to respond to prior authorization requests within 2 business days, unless federal law permits more time (Sec. 27, Subsec. 1–2).

• Requires Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program plans to follow the same prior authorization timelines (Sec. 45, Subsec. 1–2).

• Prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization for the following services (Sec. 19, Subsec. 1):

• Outpatient substance use disorder treatment;

• Preventive services rated “A” or “B” by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force;

• Preventive care for women as defined by federal regulations;

• Pediatric hospice care;

• Care for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) or pediatric palliative pain management; or

• Blood glucose test strips for diabetes.

• Authorizes automatic approval of a prior authorization request if the insurer or organization fails to meet timelines or other provisions (Sec. 23).

• Exempts Medicaid Managed Care and Public Employees’ Benefits Program plans from some of the private insurer provisions (Sec. 15.5).

Full Bill Text