Lawmakers introduced the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026, a bipartisan measure designed to restrict prior authorization requirements and increase plan transparency. The legislation directly targets practices that insurers use to delay or deny patient care.
The bill tightens oversight of Medicare Advantage plans, which cover roughly 28 million seniors and represent the fastest-growing segment of Medicare enrollment. Prior authorization, a process requiring insurers to approve treatments before patients receive them, has drawn criticism from physicians and patients who say it slows necessary care.
The act requires Medicare Advantage plans to publish clearer information about coverage decisions and approval timelines. It establishes stricter standards for prior authorization denials and creates accountability measures for plans that systematically delay care.
The legislation reflects growing bipartisan frustration with Medicare Advantage practices. Medical groups have complained that excessive prior authorization burdens administrative staff and forces doctors to spend time justifying medically necessary treatments rather than seeing patients.
The timing indicates momentum for reform. Congressional committees have held multiple hearings on Medicare Advantage oversight in recent months, with both parties expressing concern about patient access and plan profitability.