AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEW ACT

SB 53, the "Rhode Island Prior Authorization Reform Act of 2025," would prohibit insurers from requiring prior authorization for healthcare services ordered by in-network primary care providers. This directly affects patients receiving routine care from their primary doctors and the providers themselves, as it removes an administrative barrier for common treatments. The key mechanism eliminates a requirement where insurers typically must approve services before they are provided, streamlining access to care. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee after being referred in January 2025.