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Bill

Bill

SB 172

Health insurance claims; electronic information or attachments accepted, delayed effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stella Pekarsky

Virginia requires health insurers to accept electronic claims and attachments instead of paper submissions, with delayed implementation for system upgrades.

Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
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Bill Summary · SB 172

Legislative bill overview

SB 172 requires Virginia health insurers to accept electronic information and attachments when processing insurance claims, moving away from paper-based submission requirements. The bill includes a delayed effective date, giving insurers time to update their systems and processes before implementation.

Why is this important

This modernization reduces administrative burden on healthcare providers and patients by allowing digital claim submissions, potentially speeding up claim processing and reducing errors associated with paper documentation. The delayed effective date acknowledges that insurers need transition time to upgrade infrastructure, balancing efficiency gains with practical implementation concerns.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Insurers may argue compliance requires significant IT investments, potentially raising premiums or affecting smaller insurers disproportionately
  • Standardization concerns: Without clear technical standards specified in the bill, insurers might implement incompatible systems, creating fragmentation rather than streamlined processes
  • Cybersecurity and data privacy: Electronic submissions raise questions about data protection standards, breach liability, and whether the bill adequately addresses information security requirements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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