U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, is among the sponsors of a House bill that aims to improve health care for older Americans by altering prior authorization.

The Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, which Kelly said has 227 House cosponsors, would establish an electronic prior authorization process, require Medicare Advantage plans to report to the federal government their use of prior authorizations and encourage Medicare Advantage plans to adopt prior authorization plans that adhere to evidence-based medical guidelines.

Prior authorizations are a process by which health insurers require health care providers obtain approval from the insurer prior to administering some medical treatments or tests. In a press release, Kelly called prior authorizations an important player in controlling the cost of care — so long as they're not overused.

If they are, Kelly said, they can result in administrative burdens for health care providers, take time away from patient care and delay necessary medical interventions.

“By modernizing the prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage, we can ensure doctors are able to focus on their patients rather than on paperwork,” Kelly said. “I'm proud to be a champion of this legislation and am grateful to my 218-plus colleagues for their support.”

Other requirements of the bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a process for “real-time decisions” on prior authorizations for routinely approved items and services.

“Health care needs to be simple, accessible and timely for our seniors,” Kelly said. “Too often, seniors are left waiting while bureaucratic prior authorizations are being processed. While prior authorizations can serve an important role, they should not stand as a barrier to care.”