Reps. Goldman, Pfluger, Wittman, Panetta, Norcross, Schrier Advance Bipartisan Prior Authorization Transparency Bill

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Prior Authorization Accountability Act, led by Reps. Craig Goldman (R-TX-12), August Pfluger (R-TX-11), Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), and Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This bill requires all health insurance companies to display claim denial rates.

"For too long, Americans have suffered from surprise medical bills and unexpected denials of health insurance claims. I'm working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to increase transparency into the health insurance process so that patients can receive better care," said Congressman Craig Goldman. "I'll keep working to pass smart legislation that actually addresses the core problems in healthcare so patients can have better, more affordable care."

"Insurance is only helpful if you can actually use it when health problems arise," Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) said. "Nobody should get rejected for the care they need, especially if they already paid a ridiculous amount of money for a plan that's supposed to cover those services in the first place. The transparency requirements of this bill will help families avoid getting the rug pulled out from under them by their insurers, and is one of many necessary changes we must make to America's healthcare system as a whole."

The Prior Authorization Accountability Act would:

• Require all health insurance companies to publicly display their claim denial rates
• Increase transparency by letting Americans see the number and percentage of claims an insurer rejects before they sign up for a plan
• Include data on the percentage of denied claims that are appealed and subsequently overturned, as well as the average time it takes to resolve appeals
• Mandate this information to be posted clearly on the insurance company's website and listed in its plan materials

Background:

Every year, millions of Americans sign up for health insurance plans with little to no information about how insurance companies authorize care. As a result, many patients receive unexpected medical bills, experience delayed access to care, and must then navigate a lengthy appeal process to contest any claim denials.

This bill would hold providers accountable while giving potential customers more data to make informed decisions.

Support:

The Prior Authorization Accountability Act is supported by Baylor Scott & White Health, Texas Health Resources, Private Medical Group North Texas, National Psoriasis Foundation, Arthritis Foundation, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and more.

Read the full text of the legislation here.

To learn more about Congressman Goldman and follow his work, visit his website and follow him on social media at @RepCraigGoldman.

For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

###