HB 1354: Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act; require certain health insurers providing a network plan to approve credentialing applications within a certain time frame

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Discussed in meetings (7)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

1. House Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee, February 24, 2026

   From 1:16:59 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1354 would require health insurers offering network plans to approve credentialing applications within 45 days for medical providers already credentialed for Georgia Medicaid. The sponsor said providers reported delays lasting months, interfering with patient care and reimbursement, and argued that the change could help recruit doctors and encourage Medicaid participation. Asked whether the state health benefit plan would be covered, the sponsor said it would. Another member asked whether the network-plan language covered all plans. The sponsor said that was the intent but promised clarification before the next morning. Asked why applications were delayed, the sponsor described repeated collection of similar education, residency and practice information across different insurers and advocated a standardized process. The chair invited audience comments, but none appear in the transcript. No amendment or vote occurred. The chair discussed a possible vote at a meeting planned for the following morning. The transcript ends as a member begins another question.

2. House Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee, February 25, 2026

   From 0:15:22 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented substitute LC521060S for HB 1354, saying lengthy insurer credentialing processes delay patient care and too few providers serve Medicaid patients. The sponsor said the substitute would require the Department of Community Health and Department of Insurance to develop a standardized credentialing process for Medicaid and private health plans. The sponsor described a July 1 effective date, a January 1 deadline for rules, and full operation by July 1, 2027. A committee member asked whether the goal was more Medicaid providers and whether social workers were included. The sponsor said participation would remain voluntary and Medicaid credentialing would provide access to expedited private-plan credentialing. The sponsor described eligibility broadly, giving examples including dentists, cardiovascular doctors, primary care doctors and pediatricians, but did not specifically address social workers. The sponsor said some areas lack providers eligible to serve aged, blind and disabled Medicaid patients. The chair supported streamlining and described complaints about licensing delays, including experienced providers unable to work since November. The sponsor distinguished education, state licensing and credentialing for payment as separate steps. The committee approved the bill by voice vote after a do-pass motion. No vote count was stated.

3. House Rules Committee, March 3, 2026

   From 0:32:28 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1354 would establish a uniform credentialing process across Medicaid and private health plans, allowing providers who apply through Medicaid to receive expedited credentialing with private insurers. The sponsor said providers had reported lengthy, repetitive applications that delay their ability to receive payment and serve patients. The sponsor argued that the change would reduce administrative burdens and encourage more providers to accept Medicaid patients. A committee member asked whether the proposal would address low payment rates, which the member identified as a reason providers do not participate in Medicaid. The sponsor said the bill would not change reimbursement rates but would help more providers become eligible to serve Medicaid patients. No vote was recorded.

4. House Rules Committee, March 6, 2026

   From 0:09:03 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2325

   Summary by Georgia Commons: A motion to place HB 1354 on the supplemental calendar received a second. The chair asked for objections and announced that the bill was added without objection. No discussion of its contents occurred.

• Read aloud: House floor session, February 19, 2026 (legislative day 21), 0:24:50
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 20, 2026 (legislative day 22), 0:38:50
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 25, 2026 (legislative day 24), 0:43:29

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