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
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.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the Senate. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site
“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.”
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
Votes
yeanay- Overall100% yea
- Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
- Apr 29, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–0Overall100% yea
- May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted
Hearings and debates
- Jan 28, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services1:02:03–1:05:343m 31slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
- Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0838s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0838s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0838s — adopted, voice vote
- Apr 15, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs1:59:08–2:04:595m 51slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
- Apr 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
- Apr 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs11:39–12:461m 7slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
- May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
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.