First in Punchbowl News: More than a dozen House Democrats are demanding additional information about the Trump administration’s expansion of prior authorization requirements for traditional Medicare.
Traditional Medicare typically didn’t require pre-approval before patients can access services or medication. Democrats, led by Reps. Suzan DelBene (Wash.) and Ami Bera (Calif.), expressed concern that the new program will be burdensome on patients, according to a letter sent to CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz.
“Traditional Medicare has rarely required prior authorization,” the Democrats wrote to Oz. “While prior authorization is often described as a cost-containment strategy, in practice it increases provider burden, takes time away from patients, limits patients’ access to life-saving care, and creates unnecessary administrative burden.”
Earlier this year, the Trump administration touted a voluntary pledge from major health insurers to simplify the pre-approval process for Medicare Advantage. But now CMS is planning to roll out a prior authorization program in six states starting in January.
The Democrats wrote that the administration’s celebration of the insurers’ pledge shows a public recognition of “the harm of prior authorization.” The lawmakers urged CMS to cancel the new program and requested information about the implementation.
