Better Medicare Alliance Backs Bipartisan Legislation to Streamline Prior Authorization for Seniors
WASHINGTON — Better Medicare Alliance, 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 2025, bipartisan legislation to modernize and streamline the prior authorization process in Medicare Advantage.
“Prior authorization helps keep health care costs low and ensures seniors are getting the most appropriate care. But the process should be easier. The changes put forth in this legislation are long overdue and will help ensure seniors can get the care they need without delay,” said Mary Beth Donahue, President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance. “We are proud to support this bill and thank Senators Marshall and Warner, and Representatives Kelly, DelBene, Bera, and Joyce for their leadership. We look forward to continued work on this issue with Congress and the Administration.”
Introduced by Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Mark Warner (D-VA), and Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), and John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA), the bill takes important steps to reduce delays while preserving the role of prior authorization in supporting high-quality, coordinated care.
Better Medicare Alliance has consistently championed efforts to modernize prior authorization with a focus on improving the beneficiary experience and will continue to do so. BMA has:
- Endorsed previous versions of the Seniors Timely Access to Care Act in both the House and Senate;
- Released policy recommendations calling for streamlined processes and greater interoperability; and
- Supported CMS’s 2024 final rule improving prior authorization and data exchange across Medicare Advantage.
With more than 34 million beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage, updating the prior authorization process is a critical part of strengthening care delivery and ensuring seniors get the services they need, when they need them.
###
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.