Senator Marsha Blackburn and Senator Roger Marshall, along with bipartisan colleagues, have reintroduced the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act to streamline the prior authorization process under Medicare Advantage (MA), ensuring timely access to care for seniors and reducing administrative burdens.
Modernizing Prior Authorization Process
Senator Blackburn emphasized the importance of modernizing and streamlining the prior authorization process to reduce administrative burdens on doctors and provide timely access to care for seniors. The bill aims to help Tennesseans receive medical treatments promptly, improve patient outcomes, and allow healthcare providers to prioritize patient care over paperwork.
Challenges with Prior Authorization
Prior authorization (PA) is a crucial tool used by health plans to reduce unnecessary care but often leads to delays in patient treatment. The current system causes frustrations for healthcare practices and nurses, making it the top administrative burden for physicians. The bipartisan Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act seeks to alleviate these issues by streamlining prior authorization, enhancing patient outcomes, and facilitating access to quality care and medicine.
Proposed Improvements
The bill would establish an electronic prior authorization process for MA plans, increase transparency around prior authorization requirements, and enhance beneficiary protections to improve patient experiences. It also aims to clarify Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' authority to establish timeframes for e-PA requests and expedited determinations.
Endorsements and Co-Sponsors
Over 370 national and state organizations support the bill, representing patients, physicians, MA plans, hospitals, and other key stakeholders in the healthcare industry. The bill's co-sponsors include a diverse group of senators from different states and political affiliations, demonstrating broad support for improving seniors' access to care.
In conclusion, the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act aims to address the challenges posed by the prior authorization process, enhance patient care, and reduce administrative burdens for healthcare providers. With bipartisan backing and strong stakeholder support, the bill seeks to improve seniors' access to timely and quality care.