Legis Daily

Prior Authorization Relief Act

USA119th CongressS-3762| Senate 
| Updated: 2/3/2026
Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Senator

Rhode Island

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, known as the Prior Authorization Relief Act, aims to reform prior authorization processes within the Medicare Advantage program. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct an audit by January 1, 2027, identifying items, services, and Part D drugs that are high-reimbursement, have sufficient clinical evidence for standard policies, and require an excessive number of steps for prior authorization. Following this audit, by May 1, 2028, the Secretary must issue a final rule to standardize prior authorization requirements for these identified items across all Medicare Advantage plans. A significant provision of the bill introduces an exemption from these standardized requirements for providers participating in two-sided risk models, such as accountable care organizations, where they bear both potential losses and gains. This means prior authorization would not be required for services or drugs prescribed by these specific providers. However, Medicare Advantage organizations retain the ability to request that this exemption not apply, allowing their existing prior authorization requirements to remain in effect for their enrollees.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5612
Prior Authorization Relief Act
Feb 3, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Feb 3, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5612
    Prior Authorization Relief Act


  • February 3, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 3, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Health

Prior Authorization Relief Act

USA119th CongressS-3762| Senate 
| Updated: 2/3/2026
This bill, known as the Prior Authorization Relief Act, aims to reform prior authorization processes within the Medicare Advantage program. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct an audit by January 1, 2027, identifying items, services, and Part D drugs that are high-reimbursement, have sufficient clinical evidence for standard policies, and require an excessive number of steps for prior authorization. Following this audit, by May 1, 2028, the Secretary must issue a final rule to standardize prior authorization requirements for these identified items across all Medicare Advantage plans. A significant provision of the bill introduces an exemption from these standardized requirements for providers participating in two-sided risk models, such as accountable care organizations, where they bear both potential losses and gains. This means prior authorization would not be required for services or drugs prescribed by these specific providers. However, Medicare Advantage organizations retain the ability to request that this exemption not apply, allowing their existing prior authorization requirements to remain in effect for their enrollees.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5612
Prior Authorization Relief Act
Feb 3, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Feb 3, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5612
    Prior Authorization Relief Act


  • February 3, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 3, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Senator

Rhode Island

Finance Committee

Health

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted