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Iowa Medical Society Applauds Governor Reynolds’ Signature on Landmark Insurance Reform Legislation DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Medical Society today applauded the signature of Gov. Kim Reynolds on House File 2635 during a bill signing ceremony at Monroe County Hospital & Clinics, advancing significant reforms to prior authorization and strengthening protections for patients and physicians across the state. “This law addresses a high priority for physicians across Iowa – fewer barriers to care and decisions grounded in clinical expertise,” said IMS President, Lillian Erdahl, MD. “By addressing prior authorization challenges and strengthening accountability for insurers, we help ensure patients receive timely, appropriate care.” House File 2635, a top legislative priority for IMS, makes substantial changes to how health insurance carriers and utilization review organizations operate in Iowa. The law requires that only clinical peers or qualified reviewers may deny or downgrade prior authorization requests, helping ensure medical decisions are made by individuals with appropriate expertise. The legislation also exempts cancer-related screenings recommended under current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, as well as emergency medical conditions requiring immediate inpatient treatment, from prior authorization requirements across private insurance plans, Medicaid-managed care, and the Hawki program. Additional provisions prohibit insurance carriers from penalizing physicians for referring patients to or affiliating with out-of-network providers, bar unreasonable or unconscionable contract terms, and ensure physicians have the opportunity to negotiate agreements and amendments with insurers. The law also establishes new audit standards and timelines for insurer determinations and appeals, while including updates to Iowa’s certificate…
Iowa Medical Society Applauds Governor Reynolds’ Signature on Landmark Insurance Reform Legislation
Iowa Medical Society Applauds Governor Reynolds’ Signature on Landmark Insurance Reform Legislation DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Medical Society today applauded the signature of Gov. Kim Reynolds on House File 2635 during a bill signing ceremony at Monroe County Hospital & Clinics, advancing significant reforms to prior authorization and…
Read More2026–2027 IMS Board of Directors Announced
2026-2027 IMS Board of Directors Announced Election process brings new physician leaders to the board to guide strategy, strengthen patient care and address the state’s physician shortage crisis DES MOINES, Iowa – Lillian Erdahl, MD of Iowa City has been installed as president of the Iowa Medical Society (IMS), leading…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society Applauds Passage of Physician Licensure Reform Bill
Iowa Medical Society Applauds Passage of Physician Licensure Reform Bill DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) today announced that its priority physician licensure reform bill has passed the Iowa Legislature and now awaits the governor’s signature, marking a significant step forward in reducing administrative burdens on physicians and strengthening…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society Foundation Announces 2026 Global Health Scholars
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Iowa Medical Society Foundation Announces 2026 Global Health Scholars Nineteen medical students in Iowa selected to strengthen physician pipeline DES MOINES, Iowa – April 2, 2026 – The Iowa Medical Society Foundation (IMSF) has selected 19 outstanding medical students as recipients of the 2026 IMSF Global Health…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society Announces Two Leadership Additions
Iowa Medical Society Announces Two Leadership Additions DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) is pleased to announce two leadership additions to kick off 2026, strengthening the organization’s communications, policy, and advocacy efforts on behalf of Iowa physicians and the patients they serve. Josie Sylte has been named…
Read MoreTwo physicians elected to serve as Iowa delegates to the
Two physicians elected to serve as Iowa delegates to the American Medical Association for 2026 term DES MOINES, IA – Two physician members from the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) were recently elected to serve as delegates to the American Medical Association (AMA). They are: Tyler Olson, MD – The Iowa…
Read MoreFour physicians join the Iowa Medical Society Foundation Board of Directors
Four physicians join the Iowa Medical Society Foundation Board of Directors DES MOINES, IA – Four physicians from around the state have joined the Iowa Medical Society Foundation (IMSF) Board of Directors. They are: Mikayla Brockmeyer, DO – UnityPoint Health Resident, Des Moines Kim Kenne, MD – University of Iowa…
Read MoreHealthcare Workforce Summit Report Identifies Three Themes for Helping Solve Iowa’s Healthcare Labor Shortage Crisis
Healthcare Workforce Summit Report Identifies Three Themes for Helping Solve Iowa’s Healthcare Labor Shortage Crisis DES MOINES – The Iowa Medical Society released the Healthcare Workforce report which captures three overarching themes to solving the labor shortage in Iowa. Participants from the May 14 Healthcare Workforce Summit meeting earlier this…
Read MoreLandmark Physician Workforce Bill Sent to Governor Reynolds
Landmark Physician Workforce Bill Sent to Governor Reynolds DES MOINES, IA – Yesterday, the Iowa Legislature passed Governor Kim Reynolds’ landmark proposal to bolster the physician workforce in Iowa. House File 972 makes record-level investments in the physician workforce by increasing general medical education (GME) residency slots, strengthening maternal health…
Read MoreIowa Medical Society and partners to host statewide Healthcare Workforce Summit on May 14
Iowa Medical Society and partners to host statewide Healthcare Workforce Summit on May 14 DES MOINES – The Iowa Medical Society (IMS), in partnership with several leading healthcare organizations, will host a Healthcare Workforce Summit at the Iowa Hospital Association in Des Moines on Wednesday, May 14. This one-day event…
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