New Nebraska law speeds up health insurance pre-approval process

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A new law will help Nebraskans get medical care quicker.

On Thursday, Gov. Jim Pillen signed the Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act.

The new law reforms the insurance approval process before patients can get medication, surgery or other care.

The process, called prior authorization, will now be more streamlined and more transparent.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, as well as the Nebraska Hospital Association, advocated for the legislation.

President Jeremy Nordquist of the hospital association said Nebraskans have had to wait for care.

“We know from talking with our members that barriers on health care, to getting — whether it’s cancer care, other specialty care — has been growing,” Nordquist said. “And often times people are waiting days and days to get care approved.”

Insurance companies will now have 72 hours to approve or deny urgent requests and seven days to respond to non-urgent requests.

In 2028, the response time for urgent requests will be reduced to 48 hours.

No prior authorization times are required for emergency care.