The Medical Group Management Association said it wants to see shorter prior authorization time frames when CMS finalizes its proposed reform rule.
CMS is currently proposing a seven-day time frame for standard prior authorizations and 72 hours for expedited authorizations. The MGMA said in a March 13 letter to CMS that this proposed time frame "will do little to mitigate the current challenges involved with processing prior authorization requests in a timely manner as to not delay care."
The MGMA is asking the time frames to be shortened to 48 hours for standard prior authorizations and 24 hours for expedited prior authorizations.
The group is also asking CMS not to link electronic prior authorization requirements to its Quality Payment Program. The group argues doing so would only "exacerbate unnecessary burden and work against CMS' goal of reducing physician burden, medical staff time, and prior authorization related costs."
The group said it was encouraged by CMS' inclusion of Medicare Advantage plans in the scope of the rule and thanked the agency for "addressing overdue prior authorization reform."
Read the full letter here.