Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3173
Sponsor: Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
Introduced: 2021-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Health care coverage and access
Medicare
Performance measurement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-13
text: 

Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 

2021

 
This bill establishes several requirements and standards relating to prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. 

Specifically, MA plans must (1) establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified standards, including the ability to provide real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved; (2) annually publish specified prior authorization information, including the percentage of requests approved and the average response time; and (3) meet other standards, as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, relating to the quality and timeliness of prior authorization determinations. 

action_date: 2022-09-14
text: 

Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 

2022

 
This bill establishes several requirements and standards relating to prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. 

Specifically, MA plans must (1) establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified standards, including the ability to provide real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved; (2) annually publish specified prior authorization information, including the percentage of requests approved and the average response time; and (3) meet other standards, as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, relating to the quality and timeliness of prior authorization determinations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-09-15
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2022-09-14
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-09-14
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7796-7798)
action_date: 2022-09-14
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2022-09-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3173.
action_date: 2022-09-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7796-7804)
action_date: 2022-09-14
text: Ms. DelBene moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2022-09-14
text: The Chair announced the Speaker's designation, pursuant to clause 7(a)(1) of rule XV, of H. R. 3173 as the measure on the Consensus Calendar to be considered this week.
action_date: 2022-09-14
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2022-09-14
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2022-09-14
text: Assigned to the Consensus Calendar, Calendar No. 2.
action_date: 2022-07-12
text: Motion to place bill on Consensus Calendar filed by Ms. DelBene.
action_date: 2021-05-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-05-13
text: Introduced in House