Humana CEO Jim Rechtin is putting his support behind federal legislation aimed at reforming the Medicare Advantage prior authorization process.
In a July 23 post on LinkedIn, Mr. Rechtin wrote that reducing prior authorizations is part of "access to quality, affordable healthcare."
In June, lawmakers reintroduced the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. The legislation passed the House of Representatives in 2022, but stalled in the Senate.
The act would establish an electronic prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans, increase transparency around MA prior authorization requirements and clarify HHS' authority to establish timeframes for electronic prior authorization requests.
"CMS and members of Congress are doing important work on this topic, especially around expanding use of electronic prior authorization," Mr. Rechtin wrote.
Humana is among the companies and organizations that have publicly backed the bill. The Better Medicare Alliance, a pro-MA interest group, has also supported the legislation. The American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association have also praised the bill.
"We strongly support efforts in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to get this bill signed into law this year," Mr. Rechtin wrote.
Mr. Rechtin assumed his role as Humana's president and CEO July 1.