SB815 – Automated Systems in Health Benefit Claims Process

TXLawState

Date Passed

6/20/2025

Effective Date

9/1/2025

Summary

Regulates the use of certain automated systems, including algorithms that incorporate artificial intelligence, in the health benefit claims process and utilization review. Defines “artificial intelligence system” and “automated decision system” in the Insurance Code, and prohibits a utilization review agent from using an automated decision system to make, wholly or partly, an adverse determination about medical necessity or coverage.

Healthcare Implications

Directly constrains health plans’ use of AI and other automated systems in utilization review and coverage determinations. Requires that adverse determinations be made by licensed clinicians rather than by algorithms alone, which protects patients from fully automated denials, supports more transparent and clinically grounded decision-making, and enables regulatory oversight of AI tools in claims and utilization review workflows.

Impact Level

High

Keywords

Safety & Risk; Clinical Quality & Efficacy; Equity & Bias; Transparency & Governance

Stakeholders

Payers & Purchasers; Providers & Health Systems; Patients & Public; Regulators & Government