July 27, 2022: MGMA statement on the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 27, 2022

Media Contact:
Emily Dowsett
Associate Director, Public Affairs
edowsett@mgma.com

MGMA statement on the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act
Anders Gilberg
Senior Vice President, Government Affairs
Medical Group Management Association

“MGMA strongly supports the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2022. If enacted, this legislation would significantly improve a prior authorization process that is overused, costly, onerous, inefficient, opaque, and, most critically, responsible for dangerous delays in the delivery of necessary patient care. By establishing an electronic prior authorization program for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, medical groups will have less administrative burden and can appropriately focus attention back on the patient.
 
The transparency provisions of 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. This bill is an essential step towards streamlining the prior authorization process and prioritizing the physician-patient relationship. MGMA, alongside our Regulatory Relief Coalition partners, is eager to work with Congress to ensure the swift passage of this critical legislation.”

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