Should Congress improve the prior authorization process to streamline health care access for seniors?
This bill is meant to improve timely access to health care for seniors under Medicare Advantage plans and increase the efficiency of the prior authorization process. It establishes a streamlined electronic prior authorization process and creates a process for “real-time decisions” for items and services that are routinely approved. The bill also improves transparency on the extent of the use of prior authorization and encourages plans to adopt prior authorization policies that adhere to evidence-based medical guidelines.
Sponsor: Representative Suzan K. DelBene (Democrat, Washington, District 1)
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How do you feel?
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Opponents say
• "I disagree with a lot of the provisions in his bill to just address the challenges of social security…at some point we're going to have to get in a room and we're going to have to agree to disagree and we're going to have to compromise for the sake of our seniors and that important safety net. I just appreciate his strength of conviction even if I disagree with some of those provisions in his bill." Source: Rep. Jodey Arrington (Republican, Texas, District 19)
Proponents say
• "It is 2022 and even Congress has moved beyond the fax machine. The health care system is complicated in the best of times. Doctors and their patients shouldn’t have to call or fax back and forth with insurance companies or send documents multiple times for procedures that are approved over 95 percent of the time. Our legislation that the Ways & Means Committee advanced today will make it easier for seniors to get the care they need." Source: Rep. Suzan K. DelBene (Democrat, Washington, District 1)
• "When seniors go to the doctor, the focus should be on their health, not bureaucratic paperwork. That’s why I’m proud to be leading the bipartisan Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, so seniors can focus on the things that really matter. This legislation moves the health care sector into the 21st century by giving doctors and Medicare Advantage plans the tools to make health coverage decisions in real-time." Source: Rep. Mike Kelly (Republican, Pennsylvania, District 16)
