July 28, 2022 House Ways and Means Committee advances 'Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2022' On July 27, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced the bipartisan Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 8487), which now moves to the full House for consideration. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Mike Kelly (R-PA), would require Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to establish an electronic prior authorization program to enable timely decisions for routinely requested items and services. The bill also aims to improve transparency of coverage decisions by requiring plans to annually publish prior authorization data, like approval rates and response times, and encourages plans to base prior authorization decisions on consultation with physicians and evidenced-based medical guidelines. The legislation has broad bipartisan support along with support from leading provider groups like the American Hospital Association, as well as the Better Medicare Alliance, an advocacy group that supports Medicare Advantage. The bill was ordered to be reported favorably, as amended, by voice vote. The committee also adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute that included technical changes. More information is available here. Additional information is also available in the attached Tax Alert. ———————————————
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