Hyde-Smith blasts health care delays

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) sharply criticized the use of prior authorization by health insurance companies that often delay or even deny physician-prescribed care for patients.

In a floor speech Tuesday, Hyde-Smith called on Congress to pass "practical, bipartisan" legislation she supports that would limit the ability of insurers to use prior authorization requirements to disrupt patient care.

"Across the country, patients and providers alike are increasingly frustrated by prior authorization requirements imposed by insurance companies. Too often, these requirements override the medical judgement of doctors who know their patients best," Hyde-Smith said. "I have had oncologists, cardiologists, psychiatrists, and many other medical professionals visit my office to share their ongoing concerns with how prior authorizations are disrupting care. They are trained experts, yet their decisions are being second-guessed by insurers."

"The delays aren't minor. Patients are often forced to wait days, weeks, or even months for critical care, which, in many cases, will still be denied in the end. There are simply too many unnecessary hurdles standing between a patient, doctor, and the care that they need," the Senator continued.

Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, encouraged colleagues to pass legislation to correct the imbalance. She specifically highlighted two bipartisan bills on which she is an original cosponsor:

The Safe Step Act (S.2903), led by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), would require group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol – tools used by health plans to control spending on patients' medications – to help ensure patients are able to safely and efficiently access treatment.

"We must act with urgency. Every day we delay is another day patients are left wanting for care, waiting for care that they need and deserve. I urge my colleagues and the administration to prioritize these issues and move swiftly to address them," Hyde-Smith said. "Every day we delay is another day that insurance companies will continue making decisions on behalf of medical professionals, which they have no business doing whatsoever."

Prior authorization, a tool used by health plans to reduce unnecessary care by requiring health care providers to get pre-approval for medical services, has been identified by health care providers as their No. 1 administrative burden.

In addition, the HHS Office of Inspection General audits and reports continue to highlight widespread and persistent problems related to inappropriate denials of services and payment by Medicare Advantage Organizations.