ASTRO joined more than 120 national medical specialty societies, state medical associations, and the American Medical Association in a letter to Congress urging support of H.R. 3514/S. 1816, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. This bill will reduce administrative burden and unnecessary delays in patient care by facilitating the expansion of electronic prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA). With more than 300 cosponsors in the House and Senate, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act would: 

• Require MA plans to implement electronic prior authorization programs that adhere to newly developed federal standards and are capable of seamlessly integrating into electronic health systems (vs. proprietary health plan portals). 
• Mandate MA providers report to CMS on the extent of prior authorization utilization and the approval/denial rate. 
• Provide a pathway for CMS to study and institute real-time decisions for routinely approved items and services. 
• Clarify CMS’ authority to establish timeframes for electronic prior authorization request approvals, including expedited deadlines for emergent services. 
• Require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other agencies to report to Congress on program integrity efforts and other ways to further improve the electronic prior authorization process.