MSSNY Supports New Bill to Stem Prior Authorizations

For Immediate Release  

MSSNY Supports New Bill to Stem Prior Authorizations
S.8299 Will Create “Gold Card” Program to Exempt Physicians from Requirements if 90% Prior Authorization Approval is Achieved

February 15, 2022, Westbury, NY—On behalf of physicians across New York State, MSSNY thanks Neil Breslin (D- Albany), Chair of the Senate Insurance Committee, for introducing a bill (S.8299) to establish a “Gold Card” program in which insurers will exempt physicians and other care providers from Prior Authorization requirements if they receive at least 90% approval for prior authorizations for that specific health care treatment. The legislation is similar to a law enacted last year in Texas, which was designed to prevent unnecessary roadblocks to patient care and reward the following of evidence-based treatment guidelines.

“MSSNY is grateful to Senator Breslin for his leadership and support on this important issue,” said MSSNY’s President Dr. Joseph Sellers, MD. “The bill is a new and important part of our ongoing advocacy efforts to confront excessive prior authorization requirements that interfere with patient care delivery and access to the most effective treatments.”

Excessive Prior Authorization hassles continue to be a major impediment to patient care.  Last week the American Medical Association (AMA) released an updated survey which showed that more than 9 in 10 physicians (93%) reported care delays while waiting for health insurers to authorize necessary care, and 82% said patients abandon treatment due to authorization struggles with health insurers. Moreover, more than half (51%) of physicians reported that prior authorization had interfered with a patient’s job responsibilities, and more than one-third (34%) of physicians reported that prior authorization led to a serious adverse event such as hospitalization, disability, or even death, for a patient in their care.

MSSNY looks forward to continuing its work with Senator Breslin, and other legislators, to advance this bill this session in addition to other bills (such as A.7129/S.6435) that limit excessive and unnecessary prior authorization requirements.

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Founded in 1807, the Medical Society of the State of New York is the state’s principal non-profit professional organization for physicians, residents and medical students of all specialties. Its mission is to represent the interests of patients and physicians to assure quality healthcare services for all.

Media Contact:
Roseann Raia | Communications / Marketing
Medical Society of the State of New York
865 Merrick Avenue
Westbury, NY 11590

516.488.6100 x302 | [email protected]