ACS Advocacy Helps Propel Prior Authorization Bill

In late June, the US House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health passed by voice vote the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514) in a huge success for ACS advocacy.

In just the previous week, this bill surpassed the crucial number of 290 bipartisan cosponsors in order to propel it forward. 

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act would establish an electronic prior authorization process and bring greater transparency to prior authorization practices by requiring that MA plans submit data to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on their use of prior authorization and the rate at which authorization is delayed or denied for services eligible for coverage under the Medicare Advantage (MA) program, including surgeries and other invasive procedures. This is an important step in working toward addressing MA plans’ undue use of prior authorization for medically necessary services performed during an operation.

The ACS has advocated for this critical legislation for several Congresses and looks forward to the full Energy and Commerce markup, as well as a markup in Ways and Means, hopefully leading to the House floor. Additionally, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health passed several pieces of legislation on healthcare transparency, including another bill on prior authorization that would require more transparency for plans to disclose their denial rates. 

As Congress continues working on issues related to healthcare transparency, affordability, and access, the ACS remains engaged on behalf of Fellows. At the same time, it is critical to keep the pressure up on your elected officials. Take a few minutes to signal your support for passing this legislation with SurgeonsVoice.