ACR Applauds Bipartisan Support for Prior Authorization Reform Bill Save

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) today commended the more than 295 bipartisan, bicameral cosponsors of The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, which, if enacted, would reform the prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans.

The House bill, H.R. 3514, is led by Representatives Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), and John Joyce, MD (R-PA). Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Mark Warner (D-VA) are the lead sponsors of the Senate companion bill, S. 1816.

“Prior authorization continues to be a barrier to care for rheumatology patients and a significant driver of physician burnout as these policies create hours of burdensome administrative work for rheumatologists, leading to unnecessary delays and denials in care that risk serious harm to patients,” said William F. Harvey, MD, MSc, FACR, president of the ACR. "We appreciate this legislation’s broad bipartisan support and thank lawmakers for supporting this important bill that, if passed, will help streamline the prior authorization process and prevent care denials.”

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act would streamline and modernize the prior authorization process by establishing an electronic prior authorization process and require the federal government to create a system for real-time decisions for routinely approved treatments in Medicare Advantage plans. The legislation is now supported by nearly two-thirds of all sitting members of Congress.

“Given that one study showed that more than 90% of providers have experienced negative impacts on patient outcomes due to prior authorization, and 78% see patients abandon recommended treatments due to prior authorization, it’s clear that this legislation is needed. I urge Congress to swiftly pass the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act,” Harvey concluded.