Better Medicare Alliance Applauds Industry Commitment to Streamline Prior Authorization

WASHINGTON — Better Medicare Alliance released the following statement in response to the major commitment announced Monday by health insurers to streamline, simplify, and reduce prior authorization for patients, including more than 34 million beneficiaries who choose Medicare Advantage:

“Prior authorization helps keep costs down and ensures patients get the best care, but it should be easier. These commitments will make a positive difference — reducing unnecessary delays and denials for millions of Americans, including seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage,” said Mary Beth Donahue, President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance. “We applaud this step and remain committed to engaging policymakers around this important issue.”

Better Medicare Alliance has consistently championed efforts to modernize prior authorization with a focus on improving the beneficiary experience. BMA has:

• Endorsed the bicameral, bipartisan Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, which would standardize electronic prior authorization;
• Released policy recommendations calling for streamlined processes and greater interoperability; and
• Supported CMS’s 2024 final rule to enhance prior authorization and data exchange in Medicare Advantage.

###

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.