Senate Bill Calls for Medicare Part D Electronic Prior Authorization

Lawmakers have introduced a bill that would enhance the use of electronic prior authorization (ePA) in Medicare Part D, reports Health Data Management . Currently, prior authorization — a process that requests additional information about a patient to determine if an insurance plan will cover a drug — is completed through paper forms, faxes, and telephone calls. However, the Electronic Prior Authorization in Medicare Part D Act proposes the use of ePA through a common electronic system. This would ensure patients have speedier access to alternatives to opioid medications for chronic and acute pain, and better access to medication-assisted treatment to treat opiate addiction. Health IT Now's (HITN) Opioid Safety Alliance — a working group of stakeholders championing the use of technology to combat the illegitimate use of opioids — applauded the proposed legislation. "The nationwide opioid epidemic is a public health emergency that demands policymakers use every last tool at their disposal to prevent and treat cases of addiction, including technologies such as ePA," said Joel White, executive director of the HITN Opioid Safety Alliance. "Private insurers, doctors and pharmacies are already using ePA to great success — decreasing provider burden and limiting the potential for medication mismanagement, including in cases of powerful opioids. It is past time we bring that same technology into the Medicare space."