Contact Congress about S. 1816: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025

Medicare Advantage plans would have to make prior authorization faster and easier to track. Plans would need secure electronic systems, public reporting, and clearer rules for patients and doctors. The bill does not apply to Part D prescription drugs.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, 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 2025 is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Latest action on S. 1816: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people in Medicare Advantage, their doctors, and the plans that manage their coverage. Patients could see clearer rules and faster answers for some care requests. Doctors and suppliers would use electronic systems instead of fax or some private portals. Plans would face new reporting, technology, and review duties.

Why this matters: Prior authorization can delay care when patients and doctors wait for a Medicare Advantage plan to answer. This bill tries to make that process faster, clearer, and easier to compare across plans. It also gives Congress more data on denials, appeals, automation, artificial intelligence, and possible gaps in access. The bill may improve wait times, but the result depends on later rules and how plans follow them.

Key provisions in S. 1816

• The bill applies to Medicare Advantage prior authorization for covered care. It does not apply to Part D prescription drugs.
• Medicare Advantage plans that use prior authorization must follow new transparency rules. The rules start with plan years on or after January 1, 2027.
• Plans must use secure electronic prior authorization systems. This starts with plan years on or after January 1, 2028. Fax and some private web portals would not count.
• Plans must report each year to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. They must report approval lists, approvals, denials, appeals, wait times, complaints, and use of tools like artificial intelligence and decision-support software.
• Plans must tell contracting providers and suppliers their prior authorization rules. They must also share criteria and paperwork requirements. Enrollees can get the criteria if they ask.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 1816

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 S. 1816

What is S. 1816?

Medicare Advantage plans would have to make prior authorization faster and easier to track. Plans would need secure electronic systems, public reporting, and clearer rules for patients and doctors. The bill does not apply to Part D prescription drugs.

How do I support or oppose S. 1816?

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 S. 1816?

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

Can Modern Action explain S. 1816 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.