RI S2561

Prohibits health insurers from requiring prior authorization for rehabilitative or habilitative services (including physical and occupational therapy) for the first 12 visits of each new episode of care, with a "new episode" defined as treatment for a condition not treated in the previous 90 days

Eliminates prior authorization requirements for physical medicine or rehabilitation services for chronic pain patients for the first 90 days following diagnosis to allow nonpharmacologic pain management

After initial authorization-free periods, limits prior authorization requests to no more than every 6 visits or every 30 days, whichever is longer

Requires insurers to respond to prior authorization requests within 24 hours, with automatic approval if the insurer fails to respond timely or if their authorization platform fails

Mandates retroactive authorization procedures for medically necessary services and preserves appeal rights for denied requests; takes effect January 1, 2027