AHA-supported bill to streamline MA prior authorization advances in House

The House Ways and Means Committee today voted to advance to the full House the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 8487), AHA-supported legislation that would streamline prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage plans. The bill would establish an electronic prior authorization process and reduce how long a health plan can consider a prior authorization request; create a “real-time decisions” process for routinely approved services; require plans to report on their prior authorization use and rate of approvals and denials; and encourage plans to adopt policies that adhere to evidence-based guidelines. 

“These policies to streamline MA prior authorization requirements by eliminating complexity and promoting uniformity would reduce the wide variation in prior authorizations methods that frustrate both patients and providers,” AHA said in a letter of support for the bill.