Committee Endorses Accelerated Prior Authorization Reform for Medicare Advantage

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act cleared the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously on Wednesday, receiving widespread praise from healthcare advocates.

The legislation was introduced by Representatives Ami Bera (D-California), Mike Kelly (R-Pennsylvania), Suzan DelBene (D-Washington) and John Joyce (R-Pennsylvania). Companion legislation was also presented by Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and Mark Warner (D-Virginia), though it remains pending in committee.

The act reforms prior authorization in Medicare Advantage, mandating standard requests be processed within seven days and urgent requests within 72 hours. It also mandates electronic prior authorization, requires public disclosure of prior authorization data, and directs CMS to evaluate real‑time authorization processes, among other provisions.

The bill passed the committee with a 42‑0 vote and now proceeds to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The American Health Care Association voiced its support for the committee’s action.

“The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 builds on recent progress to hold major Medicare Advantage insurers accountable for prior authorization practices. Many seniors experience unnecessary delays in accessing post‑acute care,” said Clif Porter, president and chief executive of the organization. “This bipartisan measure enhances transparency, ensuring Medicare Advantage plans meet their commitments to reduce prior authorization burdens.”

The American Medical Association also lauded the Ways and Means Committee’s approval of the bill, emphasizing the need to curb harmful prior authorization delays by health plans.

“Today’s unanimous vote underscores increasing recognition that misused prior authorization often blocks patients from receiving needed care. The AMA applauds the committee’s action and will keep working with Congress to ensure the legislation becomes law,” said Willie Underwood III, president of the AMA.

The American Hospital Association also expressed support for the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, while urging legislators to reinstate the original January 1, 2028 deadline for Medicare Advantage plans to implement a standard electronic prior authorization process, instead of the later January 1, 2029 deadline in the amendment.

The House Ways and Means Committee also passed other healthcare measures, such as the Rural Patient Monitoring Access Act, aimed at increasing Medicare reimbursement for remote patient monitoring in rural regions, and the Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act, which seeks to broaden anesthesia services in rural hospitals.

Photo: MikeyLPT, Getty Images

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