New Hampshire SB 480: limiting the use of electroconvulsive therapy.
Status: Inexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 02/22/2018; SJ 5 (as of 2018-02-22)
State: New Hampshire · Session: 2018 · Bill: SB 480
Sponsors: Jeb Bradley, Kevin A. Avard, Richard W. Hinch, Sharon M Carson, William M. Marsh
Bill Text
SB 480-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE 03/05/2026 0838s 2026 SESSION 26-2040 05/09 SENATE BILL 480-FN AN ACT limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services. SPONSORS: Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24 COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── AMENDED ANALYSIS The bill prohibits health carriers from requiring prior authorization for the first physical or occupational therapy visit in any new episode of care, and mandates approval of at least 8 medically necessary treatments after the initial evaluation before further review. This bill also preserves insurers’ ability to deny claims deemed not medically necessary. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics. Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.] Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type. 03/05/2026 0838s 26-2040 05/09 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Managed Care Law; Prior Authorization for Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy; When Required. Amend RSA 420-J by inserting after section 6-e the following new section: 420-J:6-f Prior Authorization for Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy; When Required. I. A health carrier shall not require prior authorization for physical therapy and occupational therapy, as defined in RSA 328-A:2, XI and RSA 326-C:1, IV, respectively, for the first visit of each new episode of care. Health carriers may require prior authorization following the covered person’s first visit. Each health carrier shall provide prior authorization for physical therapy and occupational therapy, if medically necessary based on the evaluation of the patient at the initial visit, for not less than 8 treatments before requiring additional review for medical necessity, unless otherwise specified in the plan sponsor’s contract with the health carrier. For purposes of this section, "new episode of care" means treatment for a new condition or treatment for a recurring condition for which an enrollee has not been treated within the previous 60 days. II. This section shall not limit the right of a health carrier to deny a claim when an appropriate prospective or retrospective review concludes that the health care services or treatment rendered were not medically necessary. 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027. LBA 26-2040 3/19/26 SB 480-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT # 2025-0838s) AN ACT limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services. FISCAL IMPACT: Estimated State Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Revenue $0 Indeterminable Increase $250,000 to $1,250,000 Indeterminable Increase $250,000 to $1,250,000 Indeterminable Increase $250,000 to $1,250,000 Revenue Fund(s) General Fund Expenditures* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill Estimated Political Subdivision Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 County Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 County Expenditures $0 Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable Local Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 Local Expenditures $0 Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable METHODOLOGY: This bill amends RSA 420-J to prohibit health carriers from requiring prior authorization for the first visit of physical therapy and occupational therapy for each new episode of care and requires approval of at least 8 medically necessary treatments following the initial evaluation before additional review. A “new episode of care” is defined as treatment for a new condition or a condition not treated within the previous 60 days. Health carriers may still deny claims if treatment is determined not to be medically necessary. The Insurance Department states prior authorization is a commonly used cost-containment mechanism in health insurance. The Department indicates that limiting prior authorization requi
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