Latest news with #JulieWilloughby
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A new law in this state bans automated insurance claim denials
As some health insurance companies have come under fire for allegedly using computer systems to shoot down claims, an Arizona law will soon make the practice illegal in the Grand Canyon State. Republican Arizona House Majority Whip Rep. Julie Willoughby sponsored the legislation, and it was recently signed into law by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. House Bill 2175 requires a physician licensed in the state to conduct an "individual review" and use "independent medical judgment" to determine whether the claim should actually be denied. Proposed Ballot Measure In Blue State Raises Eyebrows Over Who It's Named After: 'Road Side Lunatics' It also required a similar review of "a direct denial of a prior authorization of a service" that a provider asked for and "involves medical necessity." "This law ensures that a doctor, not a computer, is making medical decisions," Willoughby said in a statement. "If care is denied, it should be by someone with the training and ethical duty to put patients first. That decision must come from a licensed physician, not an anonymous program." Read On The Fox News App The law will go into effect in July 2026, so insurers will have time to be ready for the changes, if any. New Bipartisan Proposal Targets 'One Of The Most Egregious' Kinds Of Fraud Ravaging Healthcare Industry "Arizona families deserve real oversight when it comes to life-changing medical decisions," Willoughby said. "This law puts patients ahead of profits and restores a layer of accountability that's long overdue." The bill passed both chambers with nearly unanimous support. Several healthcare companies, like Cigna and United Healthcare, have faced accusations of using computer systems to deny claims in past years, according to ProPublica and FOX Business. Medical Schools 'Skirting' Scotus Ruling Rejecting Race In Admissions: Report Fox News Digital reached out to Hobbs' office for comment. Similar legislation was signed into law in California last year, which was dubbed the "Physicians Make Decisions Act." The lawmaker in the Golden State was specifically concerned about the rise of artificial intelligence. "Artificial intelligence has immense potential to enhance health care delivery, but it should never replace the expertise and judgment of physicians," Democratic state Sen. Josh Becker said in a December statement. "An algorithm cannot fully understand a patient's unique medical history or needs, and its misuse can lead to devastating consequences."Original article source: A new law in this state bans automated insurance claim denials
Fox News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
A new law in this state bans automated insurance claim denials
As some health insurance companies have come under fire for allegedly using computer systems to shoot down claims, an Arizona law will soon make the practice illegal in the Grand Canyon State. Republican Arizona House Majority Whip Rep. Julie Willoughby sponsored the legislation, and it was recently signed into law by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. House Bill 2175 requires a physician licensed in the state to conduct an "individual review" and use "independent medical judgment" to determine whether the claim should actually be denied. It also required a similar review of "a direct denial of a prior authorization of a service" that a provider asked for and "involves medical necessity." "This law ensures that a doctor, not a computer, is making medical decisions," Willoughby said in a statement. "If care is denied, it should be by someone with the training and ethical duty to put patients first. That decision must come from a licensed physician, not an anonymous program." The law will go into effect in July 2026, so insurers will have time to be ready for the changes, if any. "Arizona families deserve real oversight when it comes to life-changing medical decisions," Willoughby said. "This law puts patients ahead of profits and restores a layer of accountability that's long overdue." The bill passed both chambers with nearly unanimous support. Several healthcare companies, like Cigna and United Healthcare, have faced accusations of using computer systems to deny claims in past years, according to ProPublica and FOX Business. Fox News Digital reached out to Hobbs' office for comment. Similar legislation was signed into law in California last year, which was dubbed the "Physicians Make Decisions Act." The lawmaker in the Golden State was specifically concerned about the rise of artificial intelligence. "Artificial intelligence has immense potential to enhance health care delivery, but it should never replace the expertise and judgment of physicians," Democratic state Sen. Josh Becker said in a December statement. "An algorithm cannot fully understand a patient's unique medical history or needs, and its misuse can lead to devastating consequences."
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arizona advances bill to keep AI from rejecting medical claims
Arizona state lawmakers advanced a bill Thursday that would ban the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to deny medical claims. The Arizona House of Representatives passed the legislation 58-0, with two lawmakers sitting out the vote, and it now heads to the state senate for consideration. The bill, which was sponsored by state Rep. Julie Willoughby (R), requires a health care provider to review a claim or prior authorization before it can be denied. 'With the advancement of AI algorithms into just about every part of our lives now, we want to make sure that this doesn't hinder any health care or have any overburdensome access to care for any patients,' Willoughby said at a committee hearing earlier this month. 'What we're asking for in this is that any claims that are denied have a provider look them over for completeness, to ensure that there isn't anything that the AI algorithm may not have accounted for,' she added. The Arizona bill mirrors legislation that passed the California Legislature last year and was signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in September. The Physicians Make Decisions Act, which went into effect last month, requires a health care provider to review any denial, delay or change to care based on medical necessity. 'Artificial intelligence is an important and increasingly utilized tool in diagnosing and treating patients, but it should not be the final say on what kind of healthcare a patient receives,' California state Sen. Josh Becker (D), who introduced the bill, said in a statement in December. States have passed numerous AI laws in recent years, as most AI legislation at the federal level has stalled. According to the Business Software Alliance, 113 AI-related bills were enacted into law at the state level in 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
21-02-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Arizona advances bill to keep AI from rejected medical claims
Arizona state lawmakers advanced a bill Thursday that would ban the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to deny medical claims. The Arizona House of Representatives passed the legislation 58-0, with two lawmakers sitting out the vote, and it now heads to the state senate for consideration. The bill, which was sponsored by state Rep. Julie Willoughby (R), requires a health care provider to review a claim or prior authorization before it can be denied. 'With the advancement of AI algorithms into just about every part of our lives now, we want to make sure that this doesn't hinder any health care or have any overburdensome access to care for any patients,' Willoughby said at a committee hearing earlier this month. 'What we're asking for in this is that any claims that are denied have a provider look them over for completeness, to ensure that there isn't anything that the AI algorithm may not have accounted for,' she added. The Arizona bill mirrors legislation that passed the California state legislature last year and was signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in September. The Physicians Make Decisions Act, which went into effect last month, requires a health care provider to review any denial, delay or change to care based on medical necessity. 'Artificial intelligence is an important and increasingly utilized tool in diagnosing and treating patients, but it should not be the final say on what kind of healthcare a patient receives,' California state Sen. Josh Becker, who introduced the bill, said in a statement in December. States have passed numerous AI laws in recent years, as most AI legislation at the federal level has stalled. According to the Business Software Alliance, 113 AI-related bills were enacted into law at the state level in 2024.
