Governor signs bill eliminating need for health insurance companies to authorize cancer screenings

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed House File 2635 into law on Tuesday, removing the need for doctors to seek prior authorization from health insurance companies before conducting cancer screenings. The state has some of the highest cancer rates in the U.S., and delays in approvals often prolonged patient access to critical screenings. The new law prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization for cancer screenings, ensuring patients can receive timely care. It also establishes strict deadlines for insurers to communicate decisions on claims, including clear clinical explanations if care is denied. These measures aim to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for healthcare providers. A key provision regulates the use of artificial intelligence in claim decisions, preventing insurers from relying solely on AI to deny coverage. Shelly Russell, chair of the Iowa Hospital Association, emphasized that human oversight must accompany AI-driven decisions. The law takes effect July 1, 2026. State Representative Austin Harris, a Republican from Appanoose County, highlighted the bill’s impact, stating that prior authorizations could take weeks to process. With the new law, patients will avoid unnecessary delays in accessing cancer screenings. The legislation also addresses broader inefficiencies in insurance claim processing, requiring insurers to provide timely updates on claim statuses. Governor Reynolds noted that these changes will allow providers to focus more on patient care and less on navigating administrative red tape.