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 9, 2025
The MMA is partnering with Hennepin Healthcare to offer an in-person session on “Supporting Patients, Families, and Professionals in the Aftermath of Crisis” on October 21 from 6 to 8 pm in Room RL110 at the HCMC Red Building, 730 South 8th Street, in Minneapolis.
October 9, 2025
The MMA, in partnership with the Wisconsin Medical Society, will lead a panel discussion titled "The Role of Medical and Professional Societies in Supporting Clinicians and Community Health" at the Transforming Community and Rural Healthcare 2025: Bold Innovation and Partnerships symposium, to be held on October 27-28, at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.
October 2, 2025
The federal government shutdown will affect the Minnesota healthcare system in several important ways.