UT HB0071

Beginning January 1, 2027, insurers must help enrollees access behavioral health services within 15 days (or 24 hours for urgent/crisis care), and enter single case agreements with out-of-network providers when in-network providers are unavailable within these timeframes

Insurers must publish searchable, publicly accessible provider directories for each health plan, update them at least every 60 days, and conduct annual accuracy audits covering both mental and physical health specialties

Providers must respond to insurer verification requests within 15 business days; insurers must investigate reported directory inaccuracies within 20 business days and issue educational letters to providers showing repeated violations

The Division of Professional Licensing must convene a working group by June 30, 2026 to study creating a statewide behavioral health provider database, with recommendations due to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee by November 2026

The insurance commissioner may require insurers to cover services and reimburse patients who relied on inaccurate directory information, and may reimburse providers at in-network rates if providers caused the inaccuracy