Robert Wittke, Wisconsin State Representative for 63rd District | Official website
Robert Wittke, Wisconsin State Representative for 63rd District | Official website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "prior authorization for coverage of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, chiropractic services, and other services under health plans".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends and creates statutes related to the prior authorization of specific health care services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and chiropractic services under health plans. It prohibits health plans from requiring prior authorization for an individual's first 12 visits for these therapies, imposing no limitation on care duration, and for nonpharmacologic pain management for chronic pain for the first 90 days of treatment, with a cap of two visits per week per service. The bill mandates health plans to communicate clearly any denials of coverage and to ensure copayments for such services align with those for primary care. If a decision on reauthorization is not made within three business days of a request, the authorization is deemed granted. Additionally, it requires utilization review organizations to provide healthcare providers with all evidence-based policy information used to determine coverage and to conduct reviews with Wisconsin-licensed providers. The bill also stipulates that no prior authorization is needed for services incidental to a medically necessary surgical procedure or urgent health care services.
The bill was co-authored by Sen. Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), Rep. Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Rep. Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), Rep. Cindi Duchow (Republican-97th District), and Rep. Benjamin Franklin (Republican-88th District). It was co-sponsored by Sen. Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Sen. Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), and Sen. Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), along with 18 other co-sponsors.
Robert Wittke has authored or co-authored another 44 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Wittke graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1980 with a BA.
Wittke, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 63rd Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Robin Vos.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB368 | 07/17/2025 | Prior authorization for coverage of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, chiropractic services, and other services under health plans |
| AB353 | 07/08/2025 | Price transparency in hospitals, restricting certain debt collection actions against patients, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| AB286 | 05/30/2025 | Interest earned on coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds. (FE) |
| AB268 | 05/19/2025 | The right of appeal for complainants aggrieved by decisions of the Elections Commission concerning the conduct of election officials |
| AB265 | 05/19/2025 | Human trafficking and trafficking of a child and providing a penalty |
| AB256 | 05/08/2025 | A special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day |
| AB196 | 04/15/2025 | Rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System. (FE) |
| AB92 | 02/28/2025 | Spinal cord injury research grants and symposia and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| AB1 | 01/31/2025 | Changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE) |
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