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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	May 20, 2020 02:15 PM
From:	Representative Perry S. Warren
To:	All House members
Subject:	Extending Prior Authorizations for Elective Procedures

Hospitals and health systems across Pennsylvania have seen drops in revenue due to the postponement of elective procedures – such as knee replacements – during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some elective procedures require pre-approval by a patient’s health insurance company. This approval process is often called “prior authorization,” and prior authorizations usually expire after a certain period of time – meaning a patient has to be re-approved if their procedure is not completed within a given time frame. A Pennsylvanian who had an elective procedure approved by their health insurer at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic should not have to go through the prior authorization process again. That’s why I will be introducing legislation that will extend a prior authorization that was in force at the beginning of the pandemic through the course of the disaster emergency, and for 90 days thereafter. This extension would apply to elective and non-urgent procedures, and would not impact emergency medical procedures. I ask you to join me in standing with consumers of health care by supporting this legislation.

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