Contact Congress about H.R. 8702: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2024

Medicare Advantage plans would have to make prior approval for care easier to track and faster to handle. Plans would need secure electronic systems, public data, clearer rules, and reports on how they use artificial intelligence.

Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 is a House bill in Congress.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people enrolled in Medicare Advantage, doctors and hospitals that treat them, and the private plans that run those benefits. It could matter most when a patient needs a test, treatment, or procedure that requires plan approval first. It also affects federal health agencies because they would collect data, publish plan-level information, set standards, and report to Congress.

Why this matters: Prior approval can slow down care when a Medicare Advantage enrollee needs a test, treatment, or service. This bill tries to make that process easier to see, easier to use, and faster in some cases. It also puts more attention on artificial intelligence and automated tools, because those systems can affect who gets care and how quickly. The bill's impact would depend on the rules federal officials write and how plans carry them out.

Key provisions in H.R. 8702

• The bill applies to Medicare Advantage plans that use prior approval before covering care. It does not apply to Medicare Part D prescription drugs.
• Starting with 2026 plan years, plans must send yearly data to the Department of Health and Human Services. The data must show which care needs approval, approval and denial rates, appeals and results, decision times, and related complaints.
• Plans must report when they use technology to help make prior approval decisions. This includes decision-support tools, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and similar systems.
• Plans must give contracting providers access to their prior approval lists, rules, criteria, and required paperwork. Enrollees must also get the criteria for a specific item or service if they ask.
• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must publish plan-level prior approval data on a public website. The agency may also group some data together.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 8702

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 8702

What is H.R. 8702?

Medicare Advantage plans would have to make prior approval for care easier to track and faster to handle. Plans would need secure electronic systems, public data, clearer rules, and reports on how they use artificial intelligence.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 8702?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 8702?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

How does Modern Action help me act on H.R. 8702?

Modern Action gives you bill-specific context, lets you choose support, opposition, or changes, and drafts a message from your position and reasons.