To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements with respect to rates of reversed prior authorization coverage determinations under Medicare Advantage plans.
Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill proposes amendments to title XVIII of the Social Security Act, specifically targeting Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and their prior authorization practices. Its primary goal is to establish stringent requirements concerning the rate at which MA plans' initial prior authorization denials are subsequently overturned. Under the proposed legislation, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would be mandated to terminate the contract of any MA plan that exceeds an "allowable rate" of reversed prior authorization coverage determinations. This termination clause would apply to plan years commencing one year after the bill's enactment. An MA plan would be deemed to exceed this allowable rate under two main conditions: First, if more than 25 percent of its initial prior authorization denials are later reversed, either through internal reconsideration or external appeal processes. Second, if the Secretary determines that the plan significantly reduced its rate of reversed reconsiderations compared to the previous year, and this reduction was due to the MA organization's failure to appropriately reconsider prior authorization determinations. This measure aims to hold Medicare Advantage plans accountable for their prior authorization decisions, ensuring that denials are legitimate and that beneficiaries are not unduly prevented from accessing necessary care. The bill also clarifies that standard contract termination procedures would not apply in cases where a contract is terminated due to a failure to meet these new prior authorization reversal rate requirements.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Health
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements with respect to rates of reversed prior authorization coverage determinations under Medicare Advantage plans.
USA119th CongressHR-6109| House
| Updated: 11/18/2025
This bill proposes amendments to title XVIII of the Social Security Act, specifically targeting Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and their prior authorization practices. Its primary goal is to establish stringent requirements concerning the rate at which MA plans' initial prior authorization denials are subsequently overturned. Under the proposed legislation, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would be mandated to terminate the contract of any MA plan that exceeds an "allowable rate" of reversed prior authorization coverage determinations. This termination clause would apply to plan years commencing one year after the bill's enactment. An MA plan would be deemed to exceed this allowable rate under two main conditions: First, if more than 25 percent of its initial prior authorization denials are later reversed, either through internal reconsideration or external appeal processes. Second, if the Secretary determines that the plan significantly reduced its rate of reversed reconsiderations compared to the previous year, and this reduction was due to the MA organization's failure to appropriately reconsider prior authorization determinations. This measure aims to hold Medicare Advantage plans accountable for their prior authorization decisions, ensuring that denials are legitimate and that beneficiaries are not unduly prevented from accessing necessary care. The bill also clarifies that standard contract termination procedures would not apply in cases where a contract is terminated due to a failure to meet these new prior authorization reversal rate requirements.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.