September 14, 2022: MGMA statement on House passage of the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act

MGMA statement on House passage of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act

Anders Gilberg

Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

Medical Group Management Association

“MGMA greatly appreciates House passage of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act — critical legislation that would significantly improve the prior authorization process within the Medicare Advantage (MA) program.

Year after year, delays in coverage decisions, inconsistent payer payment policies, and unsustainable prior authorization volumes act as significant impediments to delivering medically necessary care. At a time when group practices face unprecedented workforce shortage challenges, 89% of MGMA members report they do not have adequate staff to process the increasing number of prior authorizations from health insurers.

This legislation would lessen administrative burden for medical groups by moving the prior authorization process into the 21st century. The transparency provisions included in this legislation — requiring MA plans to publicly reveal what services are subject to prior authorization, how many are approved, and how long on average they take to approve — will drive plan accountability.

By streamlining and standardizing the overly cumbersome and wildly inefficient MA prior authorization process, this legislation will return a focus to the physician-patient relationship and prevent dangerous delays to timely care. MGMA urges the Senate to move swiftly to consider this bill, helping to ensure our nation’s seniors have unobstructed access to the high-quality healthcare they deserve.”

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