Prior authorization; requiring physician review for denial.
Summary
Prior authorization; requiring physician review for denial. Prohibits a health insurance carrier from making an adverse determination of a prior authorization request (i) for prescription drugs unless such denial has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician or, if a licensed physician is not available, by a licensed pharmacist or (ii) for health care services unless such adverse determination has been reviewed and approved by (a) a licensed physician; (b) in the case of mental health services, a licensed mental health provider if a licensed physician is unavailable; or (c) in the case of dental services, a licensed dentist if a licensed physician is unavailable.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 12, 2026
Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
Subcommittee #1 Subcommittee Substitute
→
Commerce and Labor Substitute
·
3 edits
MINOR
This bill amends Virginia's prior authorization rules to remove the requirement that carriers must 'deny' requests before a review is needed, clarifying that only 'adverse determinations' require physician review. It also expands who can approve these reviews to include licensed dentists for dental services and licensed mental health providers for mental health cases when a physician is unavailable. Additionally, the bill adds a new requirement for carriers to publish detailed prior authorization data annually on their websites to improve transparency.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of who can review and approve adverse determinations for prior authorization requests to include licensed dentists and licensed mental health providers, in addition to licensed physicians.
REQUIREMENT
Removed the requirement that a carrier must 'deny' a request before it can be reviewed, changing the language to only require review for 'adverse determinations'.
Added licensed dentists as authorized reviewers for dental services and licensed mental health providers for mental health services when a physician is unavailable.
Added a new mandate requiring carriers to publish prior authorization data and metrics on their websites by March 31 of each year.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026
How they voted
38–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 39
Mar 4, 2026
D
Democratic20
100% Yea
R
Republican19
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
36
Key actions
12
Committee
7
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 925 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB481ER)
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed by for the day
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (13-Y 0-N)
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate committee offered
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #1
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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