A new law in Arizona has been signed into effect, mandating that licensed physicians review health insurance claims instead of computer systems. The legislation, sponsored by Republican Arizona House Majority Whip Rep. Julie Willoughby and signed into law by Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, aims to prioritize patient care over profit by requiring physicians to conduct individual reviews of claims and use independent medical judgment to determine their validity.
The law, known as House Bill 2175, will take effect in July 2026. It requires a physician licensed in Arizona to conduct an individual review and use independent medical judgment for health insurance claim denials. This mandate ensures that medical decisions are made by trained professionals who have an ethical duty to put patients first, rather than by anonymous computer programs. The law also requires similar reviews for ‘a direct denial of a prior authorization of a service’ that a provider asked for and ‘involves medical necessity.’
Willoughby emphasized in a statement that the law ensures that a doctor—not a computer—makes medical decisions. She stated,