09/17/2026

Congress Considers Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Reform

LeadingAge is asking members to contact Congress regarding the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514/S. 1816), bipartisan legislation that would establish additional requirements for Medicare Advantage prior authorization. The House Ways and Means Committee approved H.R. 3514 in July, followed by action in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. LeadingAge continues to support passage of the legislation.

What Is Happening

• The legislation would modernize Medicare Advantage prior authorization processes and require additional transparency and reporting from plans.
• The House Ways and Means Committee unanimously advanced an amended H.R. 3514 on July 15. The amendment generally moves implementation of the prior authorization requirements to Jan. 1, 2029.
• The House Energy and Commerce Committee also advanced the legislation in July as part of a broader health care package.
• A Senate companion, S. 1816, is also part of the bipartisan, bicameral effort. LeadingAge lists both bills among its 2026 Medicare Advantage policy priorities.

Why It Matters

• Prior authorization can affect how quickly Medicare Advantage enrollees receive post-acute and other services.
• The legislation seeks to standardize prior authorization processes, increase transparency and provide additional information about how plans handle requests.
• LeadingAge has identified reducing Medicare Advantage administrative burden and improving timely access to services as federal policy priorities for aging services providers.

What to Do

• Members who want to participate in LeadingAge’s advocacy campaign can use the LeadingAge action alert to contact their congressional delegation.
• Providers can review LeadingAge’s 2026 policy priorities for additional information on Medicare Advantage reform.
• LeadingAge is asking participating members to request congressional consideration of H.R. 3514/S. 1816 before the end of 2026.