Lawmakers reintroduce prior auth bill
By HME News Staff
Updated 11:23 AM CDT, Thu June 13, 2024
CHICAGO – Members of the House of Representatives and Senate have reintroduced bipartisan legislation to streamline and standardize the use of prior authorization within Medicare Advantage. The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, which has the support of the American Medical Association, features targeted policy changes to reduce the scored cost of the legislation, an obstacle last Congress. “We thank the sponsors for writing the bill so it will attract even more support,” the AMA stated. “We came close last Congress to passing this much-needed reform. Our patients know all too well that prior authorization needs a dramatic overhaul. We think this is the year to get this bill over the finish line.” In the 117th Congress, the bill garnered 378 bipartisan co-sponsors in the House and Senate and passed the full House of Representatives. The legislation also secured endorsements from more than 500 outside organizations, including the AMA and numerous national and state medical associations. The bill has similar widespread support this year. The sponsors of the new bill: Sens. Roger Marshall, M.D., R-Kan.; Krysten Sinema, I-Ariz.; John Thune, R-S.D., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; and Reps. Mike Kelly, R-Pa.; Suzan DelBene, D-Wash.; Ami Bera, M.D., D-Calif.; and Larry Bucshon, M.D., R-Ind.
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