SB 444 (Act 411, 2026): health insurance adverse determinations may not rest on AI alone

Summary

Georgia added Code section 33-46-7.1 to its law on private review agents, the entities that perform utilization review of health care services for insurers. Private review agents and utilization review entities may use AI systems and other software tools as part of a utilization review plan that meets the chapter's standards and the Insurance Commissioner's rules, and may use them to automate tasks, reduce administrative burden and take part in decision-making. An AI system may not issue an adverse determination to a patient until a natural person qualified as a private review agent or utilization review entity has conducted a utilization review in which a clinical peer participates, and no AI system or software tool may override that clinical peer's judgment. The act defines 'artificial intelligence' and 'artificial intelligence system'. It sets no separate penalty; it sits within the private review agent certification chapter administered by the Commissioner.

Key dates

1. May 5, 2026Enacted
2. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
3. October 21, 2026Checked against sources
4. January 1, 2027Takes effect

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: January 15, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. not issue an adverse determination to a patient until a natural person qualifying as a private

   Supports: No AI-only adverse determination

   other software tools supersede the judgment of such clinical peer.

   Supports: AI may not override the clinical peer

   This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2027.

   Supports: Effective date

   SB 444 (as passed), 2026 signed legislation Office of the Governor of Georgia Primary source

2. Private Review Agents; provision of insurance I&L S 2/3 2/6 2/9 2/11 2/11 3/25 4/10 5/5 411

   Supports: Sent to Governor April 10, signed May 5, 2026, Act 411

   2026 Composite Status, Senate Bills (Session Final, 14 May 2026) Georgia State Senate Primary source

3. Private Review Agents; certain decisions with regard to the provision of insurance coverage for healthcare services shall not be based solely on artificial intelligence systems; provide

   Supports: Listed among bills the Governor signed in 2026

   2026 Signed Legislation Office of the Governor of Georgia Primary source

4. SB 444: Prohibition on AI-Only Health Insurance Coverage Decisions

   Supports: Secondary description of the bill (its pending-signature statement is superseded by the composite)

   Artificial Intelligence 2026: USA – Georgia, Trends and Developments (Baker Donelson) Chambers and Partners Reporting or analysis