AZ SB1397

Establishes a health care claims consumer assistance program within the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions to help consumers file complaints, appeals, and resolve disputed or denied claims with health insurers.

Requires health insurers to place prominent notices about the consumer assistance program on all explanations of benefits, denials, and related communications.

Makes it unlawful for health insurers to wrongfully deny or insufficiently cover valid consumer claims, with penalties up to $25,000 per violation for repeated violations after notice and opportunity to remedy.

Requires health insurers to disclose data on denied and wrongfully denied claims to the department, and mandates annual department reports to the legislature and public website on claim denials and insurer violations.

Allows courts to award damages to injured consumers, including automatic liability for double the wrongfully denied amount plus attorney fees, with additional damages possible for severe harm.