MGMA statement on the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act (June 12, 2024)

Press Statement

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6/12/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 12, 2024

Media Contact:
Emily Dowsett
Director, Policy Communications
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 supports the bipartisan, bicameral Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act — legislation that would significantly improve the prior authorization process within the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. Medical groups now identify prior authorization in MA as substantially more burdensome than commercial insurance and Medicaid. If enacted, this legislation would lessen the administrative burden by moving the process of obtaining approval for care into the 21st century. By 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 — this legislation will drive plan accountability. MGMA looks forward to working with Congress to advance policies that ensure that no health plan can stand in the way of life-saving healthcare simply to increase their bottom line."

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About MGMA

Founded in 1926, the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) is the nation's largest association focused on the business of medical practice management. MGMA consists of 15,000 group medical practices ranging from small private medical practices to large national health systems representing more than 350,000 physicians. MGMA helps nearly 60,000 medical practice leaders and the healthcare community solve the business challenges of running practices so that they can focus on providing outstanding patient care. Specifically, MGMA helps its members innovate and improve profitability and financial sustainability, and it provides the gold standard on industry benchmarks such as physician compensation. The association also advocates extensively on its members' behalf on national regulatory and policy issues.