MA Prior Auth Bill Would Simplify Process; Increase Transparency

On Wednesday, June 5, a bipartisan group of legislators introduced the “Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2019” (H.R. 3107).  The bill would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to regulate the use of prior authorizations by Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in order to streamline the current MA prior authorization system.

The bill also calls for increased transparency in the prior authorization process and would require MA plans to report the extent of their prior authorization use to CMS, as well as their rate of approvals or denials. 

Cosponsors of the bipartisan bill include Rep. Roger Marshall, MD (R-Kan.), Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Rep. Ami Bera, MD (D-Calif.), and Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.).

Posted 6/6/2019