The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians has joined forces with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) in support of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (HR 3107), federal legislation that would help protect patients from unnecessary delays in care and reduce administrative burden for physicians by streamlining and standardizing prior authorization under the Medicare Advantage program. The AAFP is partnering with the Regulatory Relief Coalition to increase support for HR 3107.
Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS), and Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), introduced the bill on June 6, 2019.
This bipartisan legislation has more than 180 Congressional cosponsors. The House Ways and Means Committee may mark-up HR 3107 in the coming weeks, so the OAFP wanted to join the AAFP in signaling to committee leadership that this legislative proposal has strong support from external stakeholders. The AAFP anticipates introduction of a Senate companion bill later in the coming months.
Over the past 10 years, insurers have substantially increased the use of prior authorization in an attempt to reduce health care costs. While the Regulatory Relief Coalition understands the importance of such utilization tools, patients are now experiencing significant barriers to medically necessary care due to prior approval requirements for items and services that are routine and eventually approved.