Statement on House Committee Approval of the Improving Seniors’ Access to Timely Care Act

Premier applauds the House Ways and Means Committee and House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee for advancing the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514), a bipartisan effort to modernize prior authorization for Medicare Advantage patients. Antiquated, manual processes continue to delay care in time-sensitive clinical situations, adding unnecessary burden for clinicians and patients alike. Codifying and enhancing regulations that accelerate the move to electronic prior authorization will help ensure more timely, efficient care for seniors while improving quality and reducing administrative strain.

Premier survey data highlights the urgency of these reforms, finding that Medicare Advantage prior authorization delays and denials threaten patient access and cost providers an estimated $19.7 billion annually to manage. Greater transparency and streamlined, technology-enabled processes are critical to addressing these challenges and supporting accessible, high-quality care.

Premier urges Congress to continue advancing this bipartisan legislation and take additional steps to accelerate adoption of real-time, electronic prior authorization.