H.B. 71: Health Provider Directory and Access Amendments

About this bill

Signed by the governor on March 17, 2026. This bill addresses provider directories and timely access to behavioral health services.

• Requires covered insurers to: assist enrollees in accessing behavioral health services in a timely manner; facilitate an insured obtaining behavioral health services from an out-of-network provider if an in-network provider is not available in a timely manner; publish health care provider directories; regularly update health care provider directories; and take certain steps to ensure the accuracy of provider directories
• Authorizes Utah's insurance commissioner (commissioner) to make rules to implement certain provisions of this bill
• Requires providers to respond to an insurer's request for verification of provider directory information within a certain period of time
• Requires insurers and the commissioner to issue an educational letter to a provider that demonstrates a pattern of violations of certain provisions
• Requires the Division of Professional Licensing to convene a working group to study the feasibility and cost of creating and maintaining a statewide behavioral health provider directory (working group) and report to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee
• Provides a repeal date for the working group

Full bill page: steps, fiscal note and sponsors · Chief sponsor Steve Eliason