03/30/2023
Prior Authorization Gold Card Legislation Introduced in Ohio House
News Release
OSMA ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR HB130 AS PRIOR AUTHORIZATION BILL INTRODUCED IN OHIO HOUSE
Proposed bill would ease regulatory burden of prior authorization, improve healthcare system and outcomes for patients
Columbus, Ohio [March 30, 2023] - The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA), the state’s largest and oldest association representing physicians, announced today its support for House Bill 130, sponsored by Representative Kevin Miller (R-Newark), which would create a Prior Authorization Gold Card Program for Ohio healthcare providers.
“As physicians, we know prior authorization impacts the way we practice medicine, and our patients, every day,” said Dr. Brian Santin, OSMA President, Chief Medical Officer at Clinton Memorial Hospital and a Vascular Surgeon with Ohio Vein & Vascular, Inc. “Prior Authorization is frequently cited as not only a major contributor to administrative burden, but also a cause for delay and roadblocks to patients receiving critical treatment and care.”
Prior Authorization is a process currently used by insurance companies that requires providers to obtain insurer approval before prescribing a treatment, test, or other medical service. If House Bill 130 is passed, it will create a Prior Authorization Gold Card, where providers who consistently adhere to evidence-based medicine will be exempted from certain prior authorization requirements.
“We applaud Representative Kevin Miller for introducing this legislation that will reduce barriers to care for patients and eliminate excessive red tape and overregulation for Ohio healthcare providers,” said Santin. “I look forward to working with healthcare providers, patient advocates and Ohio lawmakers to pass this much-needed regulatory reform.
To date, more than 30 Ohio healthcare associations, organizations, and practices have signed on to support House Bill 130. OSMA is looking forward to working with the coalition of provider and patient groups to support this critically important legislation.
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The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) is dedicated to empowering physicians, residents and medical students to advocate on behalf of their patients and profession. OSMA is the largest and oldest statewide physician-led association in Ohio. We are affiliated nationally with the American Medical Association and locally with county medical societies.