Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 164: Health insurance; ethics and fairness in carrier business practices, downcoded claims.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 164 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 7, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Health insurance; ethics and fairness in carrier business practices, downcoded claims. Primary sponsor: Jeremy McPike (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (April 13, 2026): Approved by Governor-Chapter 881 (effective 7/1/2026).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Health insurance; ethics and fairness in carrier business practices; downcoded claims. Prohibits a carrier, intermediary, administrator, or representative of a carrier from downcoding a claim unless the decision to downcode is determined by a person or electronic system that reflects correct coding standards and considers all relevant patient data from the billing provider in making the determination. The bill requires a carrier, intermediary, administrator, or representative that downcodes a claim to provide certain notice to the provider. The bill requires that all downcoding dispute decisions are reviewed and adjudicated by a natural person.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1 · Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy McPike | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 29 |
| Bill DeSteph | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 20 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 881 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB164)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
- Signed by President
- Signed by Speaker
- Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB164ER)
- Enrolled
- House substitute with amendments agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Passed House with substitute with amendments (97-Y 1-N 0-A)
- Engrossed by House - committee substitute as amended
- Delegate Shin Floor amendments agreed to
Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history