FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paige Gehlhausen, Press Secretary
Paige.Gehlhausen@iga.in.gov
317-232-9425
Emily Mertz, Press Secretary Intern
Emily.Mertz@iga.in.gov
Johnson: Prior authorization bill passes Senate
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 20, 2025) — A bill authored by State Sen. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo) that would place restrictions on when insurance companies can require prior authorization before covering a patient's care passed the Senate today by a vote of 47 to 2.
Senate Bill 480 would streamline and make more transparent prior authorization requirements and restrictions, define medically necessary care, and establish expedited response requirements for prior authorization requests. The bill would also put in place a policy that an insurer cannot deny an out-of-network covered service for the sole reason that it is out of network.
"The current prior authorization system is failing to prioritize Hoosier patients, and changes must be made to ensure that no longer happens," Johnson said. "Reforming Indiana's prior authorization system has been one of my top priorities since being elected to serve in the Senate, and SB 480 is a big step toward reaching that goal. I am grateful for the support from my colleagues in the Senate and hope this bill will have continued success over in the House."
SB 480 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
As the 2025 session gets underway, Johnson encourages residents of Senate District 14 to contact him with any questions or comments they may have. Johnson can be reached by filling out a "Contact Me" form online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Johnson or by phone at 800-382-9467.
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State Senator Dr. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo) represents Senate District 14,
which includes portions of Allen and DeKalb counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
