Prior authorization requirements in Medicare Advantage plans are increasingly delaying access to critical services for patients with gynecologic cancers. While intended to control costs and ensure appropriate care, these processes often create unnecessary barriers—particularly in oncology, where timely diagnosis and treatment are essential. Delays in approving imaging, procedures, and other services can postpone care, increase patient anxiety, and in some cases contribute to disease progression.&nbsp;
At the same time, prior authorization places a significant administrative burden on oncology practices. Physicians and their staff spend hours navigating complex and inconsistent requirements, diverting time and resources away from direct patient care. This burden is especially acute in specialty care settings like gynecologic oncology, where treatment is often complex and time sensitive.&nbsp;
The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 (H.R. 1816/S. 3514) would streamline prior authorization in Medicare Advantage by establishing electronic processes, improving transparency, and requiring more timely decisions. While it does not address prior authorization for prescription drugs, it represents an important step toward reducing delays and improving access to care for cancer patients.
SGO urges members to act and ask their members of Congress to co-sponsor the bill if they haven’t already and support its adoption this year!&nbsp;

Support the Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025

As your constituent and a member of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), I am writing to urge you to cosponsor the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 (H.R. 1816/S. 3514).

Prior authorization requirements in Medicare Advantage plans routinely delay access to medically necessary care for my patients with gynecologic cancers. In oncology, delays are not administrative inconveniences; they can directly impact outcomes. In some situations, patients must wait days or weeks for approval of imaging, procedures, or other essential services, creating unnecessary stress and, in some cases, allowing their cancer to progress.

In addition to delaying care, prior authorization requirements impose a significant administrative burden on my practice. My clinical team and I spend substantial time navigating complex and inconsistent prior authorization processes, taking valuable time away from patient care and increasing practice costs. This legislation would take important steps to improve the prior authorization process by establishing electronic prior authorization, increasing transparency, and ensuring timely decision-making, including real-time approvals for routinely approved services. These reforms would help ensure that patients receive the care they need without unnecessary delays.

While additional work is needed to address prior authorization for prescription drugs, this bill represents a meaningful step forward in improving access to care for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.

I urge you to co-sponsor this legislation if you have not already and support its adoption before the end of the year. Thank you for your consideration!