September 15, 2022
On September 14, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the “Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act” (H.R. 3173), a bill which reduces prior authorization (PA) burdens for physicians providing care to patients under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.
Specifically, the bill would require all MA plans to establish electronic PA programs, conform to a standardized PA process for the most routinely approved services (some of which must be considered for real-time decisions at the time of request), and ensure that all PA requests are reviewed by medical personnel.
The MMA is one of more than 500 health-related organizations endorsing the legislation. According to the most recent data from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), approximately 506,405 Minnesotans are enrolled in MA plans, comprising around 48% of all Medicaid enrollees in the state.
The MMA will continue to update its members on the progression of the bill. For further information, please contact Adrian Uphoff, MMA health policy analyst.
October 8, 2026
On September 29, a Hennepin County jury issued an $84 million malpractice verdict against Fairview Health Services, in a case involving a patient who died of complications following an exercise-induced heart attack.
October 8, 2026
A group of fifth-grade students from Lincoln Elementary School in St. Cloud got a firsthand look at the world of medicine on October 5, during a special Mini Medical School Day hosted by the University of Minnesota Medical School CentraCare Regional Campus St. Cloud.
October 8, 2026
On October 7, the MMA released an updated version of its “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) Resource Guide for Physicians.”