Legislation to Improve MMA Prior Auth Law Heard in Minnesota Senate

March 6, 2025

A bill that would prohibit prior authorization (PA) for medications on certain cancer treatments has been introduced in the Senate.  

The legislation, SF 205 (Port, DFL-Burnsville), adds onto PA legislation championed last session by the MMA. 

In 2024, the MMA led efforts to pass a law to reduce the burden of PA on patients and providers by prohibiting PA for critical healthcare services in which a delay in care would harm patients. Because of increased costs to the state, the bill did not apply to most medications. 

To address a notable absence from last year’s law, SF 205 will prohibit PA for medications for antineoplastic cancer treatment. Clearly, a delay in cancer treatment caused by the need for PA can have a devastating impact on patient care.  

In its letter of support of the bill, MMA President Edwin Bogonko, MD, MBA, argued that “in recent years, prior authorization requirements have increased and routinely force patients to delay care or forgo treatment altogether.” He went on to say that “delays in these services leads to severe negative health outcomes, including death.” 

The MMA letter also referenced data from the AMA, which found that one in five physicians reported that PA has led to life-threatening health situations for patients. That same report showed that 89% of physicians report PA has had a negative effect on patient clinical outcomes. Additional data demonstrates that physicians complete, on average, more than 40 PAs per week, adding up to more than 13 hours a week by physicians or staff members. More than 95% of PA requests are eventually approved, wasting the time and resources of providers while delaying patient care.  

SF 205 was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Its House companion has not been introduced.