HB4735 - 104th General Assembly

TRANSPARENCY IN DOWNCODING ACT
Last Action
3/27/2026 - House: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
House Sponsors
Rep. Sharon Chung, Dagmara Avelar and Ryan Spain
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
New Act
Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Transparency in Downcoding Act. Provides that the Act applies to certain policies of health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after the effective date of the Act, except for employee or employer self-insured health benefit plans under the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and health care provided pursuant to the Workers' Compensation Act or the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act. Prohibits a health insurance issuer from using an automated process, system, or tool to downcode a claim; from downcoding a claim based solely on the reported diagnosis codes; and from using downcoding practices in a targeted or discriminatory manner against physicians who routinely treat patients with complex or chronic conditions. Requires downcoding decisions to be made by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches in any United States jurisdiction and of the same or similar specialty as a physician who typically manages the medical condition or disease. Sets forth provisions concerning notification requirements for downcoded claims; the appeal process for downcoded claims; enforcement by the Department of Insurance; and penalties. Provides that any pattern or practice of discriminatory downcoding identified by the Director of Insurance or another regulatory authority shall be subject to enforcement actions, including fines, restitution, or suspension of the health insurance issuer's license in this State. Effective immediately.
Actions
Date Chamber Action
1/30/2026 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Sharon Chung
2/06/2026 House First Reading
2/06/2026 House Referred to Rules Committee
2/27/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
3/03/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Ryan Spain
3/12/2026 House Assigned to Insurance Committee
3/27/2026 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee