Wyoming2026Did Not Pass

SF0122

Medical Necessity Review Time Limits

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

In one sentence

The bill changes the time limits for health insurers and independent review organizations to decide on the medical necessity of healthcare services.

What it does

Changes the number of days a health insurer has to determine the medical necessity of a healthcare service from 45 days to 21 days.
Requires an independent review organization to make a decision within 21 days after receiving a request for external review.

Who it affects

Health insurers who must now decide on medical necessity within 21 days instead of 45 days.
Independent review organizations that have to make decisions about medical necessity within 21 days after receiving a request.
Patients and healthcare providers affected by these new time limits.

Limits and unknowns

The bill did not pass, so these changes are not currently in effect.
It does not specify what happens if an organization fails to meet the new time limits.

Plain language

Terms to know

Medical Necessity: The requirement for health insurance coverage of services, supplies, or equipment that are needed to diagnose or treat an illness, injury, condition, disease, or symptoms and that meet accepted standards of medicine.
Independent Review Organization (IRO): A group that reviews decisions made by health insurers about whether a medical service is necessary and can reverse the insurer's decision if it finds the service should be covered.

Official record

Sources

Validated

Official bill page Introduced text Official digest Current bill text Stored full record

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 5, 12:43 AM

Dan Dockstader

R · S16

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker argues that reducing the insurance determination timeline from 45 to 21 days is necessary because current delays hurt rural hospital cash flow and threaten their survival.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:00:16 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

3 roll calls

S 3rd Reading:Passed 29-2-0-0-02026-02-20 · Senate29 yes 2 no

Yes: 29
No: 2
Absent: 0
Excused: 0
Conflict: 0

S10 - Labor:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02026-02-16 · Senate5 yes 0 no

Yes: 5
No: 0
Absent: 0
Excused: 0
Conflict: 0

Yes 5

Charles ScottR · S30 Cheri SteinmetzR · S03 Evie BrennanR · S31 Gary CrumR · S10 Lynn HutchingsR · S05

S Introduced and Referred to S10 - Labor 30-1-0-0-02026-02-13 · Senate30 yes 1 no

Yes: 30
No: 1
Absent: 0
Excused: 0
Conflict: 0

Official activity

Bill history

2026-03-03H:Died in Committee Returned Bill Pursuant to HR 5-4House
2026-03-03H No report prior to CoW CutoffHouse
2026-02-23H Introduced and Referred to H10 - LaborHouse
2026-02-20H Received for IntroductionHouse
2026-02-20S 3rd Reading:Passed 29-2-0-0-0Senate
2026-02-19S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
2026-02-18S COW:PassedSenate
2026-02-16S Placed on General FileSenate
2026-02-16S10 - Labor:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate
2026-02-13S Introduced and Referred to S10 - Labor 30-1-0-0-0Senate
2026-02-11S Received for IntroductionSenate
2026-02-11Bill Number AssignedLSO