Alaska Statutes-Title 21-Chapter 07. Patient Protections Under Health Care Insurance Policies

(a) A health care insurer offering a health plan issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, shall designate a prior authorization process that complies with the standards for prior authorizations for medical care and prescription drugs in AS 21.07.100 - 21.07.180. The process must be reasonable and efficient and minimize administrative burdens on health care providers and facilities. 

(b)  If a health care provider submits a prior authorization request that contains the information necessary to make a determination, a health care insurer shall make a determination and notify the provider of the decision within:

(1) 72 hours after receiving a standard request submitted by a method other than facsimile; 

(2) 72 hours, excluding weekends, after receiving a standard request submitted by facsimile; or 

(3) 24 hours after receiving an expedited request. 

(c) If a health care provider submits a prior authorization request that does not contain the information necessary to make a determination, the health care insurer shall request specific additional information from the covered person's health care provider within (1) one calendar day after receiving an expedited request; or three calendar days after receiving a standard request. 

(d) If a health care insurer determines that the information provided by a health care provider is not sufficient to make a determination under (b) of this section, the health care insurer may request additional information. The health care insurer may establish a due date of not less than five nor more than working days after receiving the prior authorization request by which the additional information must be submitted. The health care insurer must notify the health care provider and covered person of the due date along with the request for additional information and specify 8 the additional information needed to complete the request. 

(e) A health care insurer that receives a prior authorization request from a health care provider shall provide to the health care provider confirmation of receipt that shows the date and time the request was received by the health care insurer. 

(f) A prior authorization request submitted under this section is considered approved if the health care insurer fails to provide a written denial, approval, or request for additional information within the time specified under this section.  

See SB 133 (2025)