The Delaware Pre-Authorization Reform Act of 2025 cleared its final hurdle on Wednesday and heads to Governor Matt Meyer’s desk.
 
The Delaware House of Representatives unanimously passed Senate Bill 12. The legislation, which would reform pre-authorization in Delaware by removing serious roadblocks to necessary healthcare services, passed the Delaware Senate in May. Additionally, nearly 50 leading health nonprofits, organizations, and provider offices (including DCNP)  signed onto a letter of support for the Delaware Pre-Authorization Reform Act of 2025.
 
Championed by Senator Bryan Townsend, Senator Nicole Poore, Rep. Krista Griffith, and House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown, Senate Bill 12 will streamline pre-authorization requirements in Delaware, also known as prior authorization, to create a more efficient process that allows for better access to timely health services. Pre-authorization is a process by which providers are required to request approval from insurance plans for certain healthcare procedures or medications.
 
“Every day, physicians, nurses, and staff are pulled in too many directions when they are simply trying to do their job – provide the best care for patients. That can cause burnout, stress, and so much more. What we’ve done today is a long time coming, but we have been able to bring stakeholders together to address pre-authorization in a way that will ease burdens on providers and reduce access challenges for patients,” said Senator Townsend, Senate prime sponsor and longtime champion of this issue. Senator Townsend was responsible for making sure NPs were fully included in this legislation
 

“Access to quality care leads not only to improved health outcomes but a better quality of life. Pre-authorization reform will ensure patients have access to this care without delay. These collective efforts make the healthcare system stronger for everyone,” said Speaker and Registered Nurse Melissa Minor-Brown 
 
This legislation addresses pre-authorization in these important ways:

• Shortens the response time to review a provider’s pre-authorization request.

• Increases the length of time that an approved pre-authorization remains valid.

• Limits the number of pre-authorizations required for a single episode of care.

• Ensures that utilization review entities are available to make determinations beyond the typical workday and on weekends.

• Ensures prompt response to pre-authorization requests made for patient transfers to help patients who are no longer in need of acute hospital care to transition to a more appropriate care setting.

Please read the bill to see how it will benefit your practice.  Thank you to all the NPs who reached out to their legislators seeking support of this bill.  We anticipate the governor signing this bill and it being enacted in during 2026 (the final implementation date is Jan 1 2027).  

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Please let your NP colleagues know  DCNP provided major input into making sure NPs were included in this and other legislation this session.  Recommend they join DCNP today - the larger our membership, the stronger our voice.