A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced a bill to make it easier for seniors in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to get medical care. The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act seeks to reduce administrative delays caused by prior authorization rules.
Announced on May 23, the bill supports over 32 million Americans in MA plans, including more than two million in New York.
What the bill does
The legislation would:
- Create a standardized electronic prior authorization (ePA) process for all Medicare Advantage plans
- Require faster decisions on prior authorization requests, especially for common or urgent services
- Boost transparency by requiring data on how often insurers approve or deny services
- Give the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) clear authority to set response time limits
- Add protections to improve the experience for seniors
- Require regular reports to Congress on how to improve the process
- Implement at no cost to taxpayers
Healthcare providers often cite prior authorization as their top administrative burden. Nearly 75% of Medicare Advantage enrollees face care delays because of it.
Why it matters for seniors
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), one of the bill’s lead sponsors, said the measure will help seniors access care without getting caught in red tape.
“Seniors should have reliable access to specialists, mental health care, preventive services, and essential treatments,” she said. “This bill helps cut through delays and gets them the care they deserve.”
The bill allows doctors to focus on patient care, not paperwork.
Broad bipartisan support
Nearly 50 senators, both Democrat and Republican, back the bill. Sponsors include Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Rick Scott (R-FL). A matching bill was introduced in the House by Reps. John Joyce (R-PA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), and others.
The bill aligns with a final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in January 2024, which set standards for electronic authorization systems.
What’s next?
The bill will now move through committee review. If passed, it could speed up treatment timelines and reduce stress for millions of seniors.
Seniors, caregivers, and healthcare providers can follow the bill’s progress at congress.gov.
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