SB 480 · 2026 · Senate · Health and Human Services Committee
Prior authorization limits for therapy
AI-generatedlimiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services.
Prohibits health carriers from requiring prior authorization for a patient's first physical or occupational therapy visit in a new episode of care, requires approval of at least 8 medically necessary treatments after initial evaluation, and preserves insurers' ability to deny non-medically-necessary claims.AI-generated
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 14, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✓Senate
- ✕House
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill prohibits health carriers from requiring prior authorization for the first 12 visits of physical or occupational therapy, or similar services, for each new episode of care, defined as a new condition or one not treated in the past 60 days. However, claims can still be denied if the treatment was not medically necessary.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
- Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
- Sen. Kevin AvardRVice Chair· Health and Human Services
- Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
- Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
- Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
- Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
- Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
- Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
- Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
Also: Sen. Donovan FentonD, Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD
Public testimony
44 signed in online · 11 wrote testimony
100% support0% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“I am writing to express my strong support for SB 480 in the 2026 legislative session. This bipartisan bill represents a thoughtful and necessary step toward improving access to essential rehabilitation services for residents of New Hampshire.…”
“As a Physical Therapist (PT, DPT) with 11 years of clinical experience, currently practicing in a rural setting, I have seen firsthand how delays in access to care can negatively impact patient outcomes.…”
“As a doctor of physical therapy currently practicing in NH, I have seen time and time again that prior authorizations are nothing but a tool by the for-profit insurance industry to delay and deny necessary care.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings
- 2026-01-289:00 amSenate Health and Human ServicesSH 100Public hearing
- 2026-04-1510:30 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing
- 2026-04-2210:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing
- 2026-04-2910:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 1
- Jan 28, 2026SenHearing: 01/28/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:15 am; SC 3
- Mar 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0838s, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8
- Mar 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0838s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
- Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0838s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
- Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 8 P. 114
- Apr 15, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/15/2026 11:00 am GP 229
- Apr 22, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/22/2026 10:00 am GP 229
- Apr 29, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 229
- Apr 29, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/29/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 19 P. 6
- May 14, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 2
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.