CHICAGO — Physicians across the country and across specialties are urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reduce the harms and burdens of prior authorization by incorporating Consensus Principles into its policies and encouraging other payers to do so as well. The Consensus Principles were developed by national provider associations and insurer trade organizations.
The letter, led by the American Medical Association (AMA) and signed by 104 other medical societies, thanks CMS for tackling prior authorization through its Patients Over Paperwork initiative. CMS Administrator Seema Verma has acknowledged publicly that prior authorization interferes with and delays treatment, and contributes to physician burnout.
The letter notes that industry focus on only the technological aspects of prior authorization will not solve the problem and, in fact, could set the stage for increased use of prior authorization. The AMA and other signatories are offering assistance to CMS in advancing the important reform goals incorporated in the Consensus Principles.
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About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
