VIDEO: Bucshon Questions Witnesses on Increasing Transparency and Improving Care in Medicare Advantage Plans

Statement

Today in a hearing held by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, U.S. Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.-08) questioned witnesses on the importance of his bipartisan Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act which would bolster care for seniors by streamlining and standardizing the way Medicare Advantage plans use Prior Authorization.

"The Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, H.R. 3173, has been mentioned a few times today already. It's a bill I've led for several years alongside my colleagues Representatives DelBene, Kelly, and Bera. Our goal with this bill is to facilitate the adoption of an electronic prior authorization process that is far quicker and more efficient than what doctors and patients currently endure…

"The result will be less administrative burden for providers and more information in the hands of patients. It will allow more patients to receive care when they need it, reducing the likelihood of additional--often more severe--complications. In the long term, I believe it would also result in a cost savings for the health care system at large by identifying problems earlier and getting them treated before patients have more complications," Dr. Bucshon said about his bill.

Click here or on the image below to view Dr. Bucshon's full remarks.

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