Key House Committee Passes ASA-endorsed Reform to MA Prior Authorization

On July 27, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways & Means advanced legislation endorsed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), H.R. 8487, the Seniors Access to Timely Care Act to streamline Medicare Advantage prior authorization rules.

The bill reforms current laws and rules by:

• Establishing an electronic prior authorization (ePA) program;
• Standardizing and streamlining the prior authorization process for routinely approved
  services, including establishing a list of services eligible for real-time prior authorization
  decisions;
• Ensuring prior authorization requests are reviewed by qualified medical personnel; and
  Increasing transparency around MA prior authorization requirements and their use

The bill will await consideration by the full House of Representatives and must then be considered by the U.S. Senate.

ASA applauds the Committee for approving this legislation that will remove barriers to care and improve health care outcomes.

Read the full text here.