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Patient Refunds for Bad Denials Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-8442| House 
| Updated: 4/22/2026
Angie Craig

Angie Craig

Democratic Representative

Minnesota

Cosponsors (1)
Patrick Ryan (Democratic)

Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to hold health insurance issuers accountable for excessive claims denials by establishing civil liability. It empowers the Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose substantial civil monetary penalties on issuers whose claims denial percentage for group or individual coverage reaches 25% or higher, starting January 1, 2027. The penalty structure includes a base amount of $10,000,000, with an additional $2,000,000 for each percentage point exceeding the 25% threshold. A key provision defines the claims denial percentage based on audits, excluding claims correctly denied for fraud or lack of medical necessity, provided the issuer offers sufficient proof. Funds collected from these penalties are mandated to be distributed on a pro rata basis to individuals enrolled in the penalized issuer's plans. Furthermore, the bill introduces new consumer protections requiring issuers to provide detailed explanations for medical necessity denials, including their specific standards, and to annually report their overall claims denial rate to the Secretary, enhancing transparency in the claims process.
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Timeline
Apr 22, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 22, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • April 22, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 22, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Patient Refunds for Bad Denials Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-8442| House 
| Updated: 4/22/2026
This bill aims to hold health insurance issuers accountable for excessive claims denials by establishing civil liability. It empowers the Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose substantial civil monetary penalties on issuers whose claims denial percentage for group or individual coverage reaches 25% or higher, starting January 1, 2027. The penalty structure includes a base amount of $10,000,000, with an additional $2,000,000 for each percentage point exceeding the 25% threshold. A key provision defines the claims denial percentage based on audits, excluding claims correctly denied for fraud or lack of medical necessity, provided the issuer offers sufficient proof. Funds collected from these penalties are mandated to be distributed on a pro rata basis to individuals enrolled in the penalized issuer's plans. Furthermore, the bill introduces new consumer protections requiring issuers to provide detailed explanations for medical necessity denials, including their specific standards, and to annually report their overall claims denial rate to the Secretary, enhancing transparency in the claims process.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 22, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 22, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • April 22, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 22, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Angie Craig

Angie Craig

Democratic Representative

Minnesota

Cosponsors (1)
Patrick Ryan (Democratic)

Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted