January 4, 2021
The Honorable Seema Verma
Administrator
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201
RE: (RIN 0938–AT99) Reducing Provider and Patient Burden by Improving Prior Authorization Processes, and Promoting Patients’ Electronic Access to Health Information for Medicaid Managed Care Plans, State Medicaid Agencies, CHIP Agencies and CHIP Managed Care Entities, and Issuers of Qualified Health Plans on the Federally-facilitated Exchanges; Health Information Technology Standards and Implementation Specifications
Dear Administrator Verma:
The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) is pleased to submit the following response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule, Reducing Provider and Patient Burden by Improving Prior Authorization Processes, and Promoting Patients’ Electronic Access to Health Information for Medicaid Managed Care Plans, State Medicaid Agencies, CHIP Agencies and CHIP Managed Care Entities, and Issuers of Qualified Health Plans on the Federally-facilitated Exchanges; Health Information Technology Standards and Implementation Specifications (CMS-9123-P). We appreciate the emphasis CMS has placed on addressing prior authorization, what MGMA member practices identify as the leading administrative burden facing their organizations. Our comments and recommendations are aimed at improving these proposals and making the promise of improved healthcare data exchange and a more streamlined prior authorization process a reality.