Better Medicare Alliance Endorses Bipartisan Legislation to Modernize Prior Authorization for Seniors

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 would simplify prior authorization for millions of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries

WASHINGTON – Better Medicare Alliance (BMA), the nation’s leading research and advocacy organization supporting Medicare Advantage, today announced its endorsement of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2024. Better Medicare Alliance President and CEO Mary Beth Donahue and BMA Allies made the following statements.

“This legislation addresses one of the most common issues we hear about from our beneficiary network and ally groups. Prior authorization is an important tool in Medicare Advantage, and it is vital that we streamline this process for seniors,” said Mary Beth Donahue, President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance. “We thank Senators Marshall, Sinema, Thune, and Brown, and Representatives DelBene, Kelly, Bera, and Bucshon for their leadership. With more than 33 million seniors now choosing Medicare Advantage, this work is more urgent and necessary than ever. We are pleased to join with hundreds of national organizations in support of this bill.” 

“Lessening the burden of prior authorization is a priority for our members, and this legislation would take important steps toward that goal,” said Susan Dentzer, President and CEO of America’s Physician Groups. “Prior authorization helps to ensure that patients receive appropriate, effective care, and modernizing this tool will ensure that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries can receive this care without delay. We proudly join Better Medicare Alliance to support the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.”

“Vancouver Clinic thanks House sponsor Rep. Suzan DelBene and her bipartisan colleagues for championing the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. This legislation will significantly benefit seniors in Washington state and across the country,” said Mark Mantei, CEO of Vancouver Clinic. “We care for Medicare Advantage patients every day at our 18 clinics in Washington and Oregon. This bipartisan bill will help our providers continue to deliver the timely and compassionate care these seniors rely on and expect.”

“This legislation will bring transparency and accountability to the prior authorization process utilized by Medicare Advantage plans,” said Heather Parsons, Vice President of Federal Affairs for the American Occupational Therapy Association. “The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act increases certainty for Medicare beneficiaries that their medically necessary care will be covered and will significantly reduce administrative burden for providers like occupational therapy practitioners. We are grateful to the bill’s sponsors for their leadership on this important issue and look forward to seeing this bill become law.”

The bipartisan, bicameral legislation builds on the work and recommendations of the Medicare Advantage community to streamline prior authorization for seniors, including BMA’s Policy Solutions released last year. BMA supported an earlier version of the bill when it was introduced two years ago. 

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Better Medicare Alliance is a community of more than one million grassroots beneficiaries and 200+ ally organizations working to improve health care through a strong Medicare Advantage. Learn more at www.bettermedicarealliance.org