AHA Statement on CMS Proposed Rule on Prior Authorization

Ashley Thompson
Senior Vice President, Public Policy Analysis and Development
American Hospital Association

December 6, 2022

The AHA commends CMS for taking important steps to remove inappropriate barriers to patient care by streamlining the prior authorization process for some health insurance plans. Hospitals and health systems especially appreciate that CMS included Medicare Advantage plans in these requirements, as the AHA has urged. Prior authorization is often used in a manner that results in dangerous delays in care for patients, burdens health care providers and adds unnecessary costs to the health care system.

The AHA looks forward to carefully reviewing the proposed rule, and we continue to urge the Senate to pass the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act to codify these protections in law.

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Contact:    Colin Milligan, cmilligan@aha.org
                  Sean Barry, sbarry@aha.org