Over the past 10 years, insurers have substantially increased the use of prior authorization in an attempt to reduce health care costs. While the Regulatory Relief Coalition understands the importance of such utilization tools, patients are now experiencing significant barriers to medically necessary care due to prior approval requirements for items and services that are eventually and routinely approved.
Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS), and Ami Bera, MD (D-CA) introduced the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3107) on June 6, 2019. The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act would help protect patients from unnecessary delays in care and reduce administrative burden for physicians by streamlining and standardizing prior authorization under the Medicare Advantage program. This bipartisan legislation has more than 180 Congressional cosponsors. The House Ways and Means Committee may mark-up H.R. 3107 in the coming weeks, so it is important to signal to Committee leadership that this legislative proposal has strong support from external stakeholders. AAFP anticipates introduction of a Senate companion bill later in the coming months. The Georgia Academy has joined the AAFP and other state chapters in endorsing House Resolution 3107 and any additional Congressional action that will reduce our current regulatory burdens.