The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) has endorsed the physician-led Medicare Advantage Improvement Act (MAIA) introduced this week.
The bill contains provisions for comprehensive reforms to prior authorization, MGMA said in its April 23 letter. If it becomes law, the MAIA will also establish important guardrails on retrospective clawbacks by strengthening prompt payment requirements and limiting post-authorization denials, according to MGMA.
"Without policy intervention, participating in MA will become untenable for many practices and MA beneficiaries may face more barriers to accessing care," MGMA said. "By coupling these initiatives with a new compliance program, medical groups can trust that MA plans will be held accountable."
U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA), joined by Reps. John Joyce, MD (R-PA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-IA), Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC), and Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), said the legislation will rein in abuse and crack down on bad actors. If passed, the MAIA will mark the beginning of "much needed" MA reforms, they said.
