Bill would allow physicians to make prior authorization judgments (Healthcare Finance News)

A new bipartisan bill, the Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act, aims to reform prior authorization in Medicare by requiring that only board-certified physicians in the same specialty review and approve care requests. The bill seeks to reduce treatment delays, ensure medical necessity is determined by experts, and increase transparency by mandating that clinical criteria be published and evidence-based. Backed by major medical associations, the bill responds to growing concerns that non-specialists are delaying or denying necessary care, contributing to poor outcomes and physician burnout.