Last week, the House passed the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (S.3018/H.R.3173) which seeks to improve transparency and accountability for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans as they use prior authorization.
The bill will require MA plans to establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified transparency standards, including real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved. Plans will also be required to annually publish data on the percentage of approved and denied prior authorization requests and the average response time. Process improvements that are required by the bill are those which MA plans have publicly stated they could put into place.
The bill will require MA plans to establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified transparency standards, including real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved. Plans will also be required to annually publish data on the percentage of approved and denied prior authorization requests and the average response time. Process improvements that are required by the bill are those which MA plans have publicly stated they could put into place.
The bill now goes to the Senate for passage. Take action now to tell your Senators to support this bill in the Senate.
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