Supporting the Physiatrist, Strengthening the Specialty

Addressing Prior Authorization Barriers 

AAPM&R has long supported this legislation since it was first introduced as part of its broader advocacy to remove barriers to accessing care for patients and to reduce burden on PM&R physicians.  

The Academy has also worked in collaboration with the Regulatory Relief Coalition (RRC), a group of national physician specialty organizations advocating for regulatory burden reduction in Medicare since 2022 to champion this legislative priority. 

Recent reports issued by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General have illustrated that overly burdensome prior authorization requirements in MA plans continue to create delays and barriers to medically necessary care for patients requiring rehabilitation services.  

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act would implement common-sense reforms to streamline these processes, including: 

• Codifying into law electronic prior authorization programs with the ability to deliver real-time decisions for routinely approved services 

• Increasing transparency through public reporting on approval rates and response times 

• Strengthening oversight and standards related to the timeliness and quality of determinations 

AAPM&R Advocacy Continues 

AAPM&R has consistently focused on reducing burden on physicians, and improving access to healthcare for your patients, through Hill Day advocacy, grassroots campaigns and coalition engagement. Click here to learn more about the Academy’s work on this issue. 

AAPM&R will continue working with congressional leaders and coalition partners to advance the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act and ensure that Medicare Advantage patients have reliable access to medically necessary care. 

Addressing Prior Authorization Barriers 

AAPM&R has long supported this legislation since it was first introduced as part of its broader advocacy to remove barriers to accessing care for patients and to reduce burden on PM&R physicians.  

The Academy has also worked in collaboration with the Regulatory Relief Coalition (RRC), a group of national physician specialty organizations advocating for regulatory burden reduction in Medicare since 2022 to champion this legislative priority. 

Recent reports issued by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General have illustrated that overly burdensome prior authorization requirements in MA plans continue to create delays and barriers to medically necessary care for patients requiring rehabilitation services.  

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act would implement common-sense reforms to streamline these processes, including: 

• Codifying into law electronic prior authorization programs with the ability to deliver real-time decisions for routinely approved services 

• Increasing transparency through public reporting on approval rates and response times 

• Strengthening oversight and standards related to the timeliness and quality of determinations 

AAPM&R Advocacy Continues 

AAPM&R has consistently focused on reducing burden on physicians, and improving access to healthcare for your patients, through Hill Day advocacy, grassroots campaigns and coalition engagement. Click here to learn more about the Academy’s work on this issue. 

AAPM&R will continue working with congressional leaders and coalition partners to advance the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act and ensure that Medicare Advantage patients have reliable access to medically necessary care.