ACG Governors Issue Advisory Alert to State Insurance Commissioners
From the Chair of ACG Board of Governors, Dayna S. Early, MD, FACG and Vice Chair, Sita Chokahavatia, MD, MACG
The ACG Board of Governors 2023 Advocacy Day is approaching on April 20th! This year in-person meetings will take place between ACG Governors and Members of Congress, urging policymakers to reform prior authorization and reduce the burdens borne by our patients and practices. We have the opportunity to discuss important issues impacting ACG members at the state and local level. Remember to contact your ACG Governor on important state and local issues affecting you and your practice.
ACG Advisory Alert to State Insurance Commissioners: In response to UnitedHealthcare's (UHC) March 2023 announcement requiring prior authorization for GI procedures, this week the ACG Board of Governors released an "advisory alert" to state insurance commissioners across the country. ACG is urging for a review and hearings to assess the impact UHC's on patient care and physician practices. We know that ACG members are upset and frustrated. Fortunately, the ACG Board of Governors is structured to be your voice for clinical GI at both the federal and state level. ACG Governors are also engaging patient advocacy groups, state GI societies, and state medical associations in these efforts.
Protecting the Patient-Provider Relationship: It's imperative that the clinical data drive any coverage policy. Prior authorization is harming patient care, GI practices, and a key factor in physician-burnout. We have heard from our membership and know how important it is to protect the autonomy of the patient-provider relationship.
The ACG Prior Authorization Task Force has also focused on practical guidance and tools to immediately reduce the burdens of prior authorization, while ACG advocates for comprehensive policy reforms.
Stay tuned for more updates from ACG.
ADVISORY ALERT FROM THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
UnitedHealthcare’s Prior Authorization Announcement
Impacts Access to GI Patient Care
Read this advisory alert to State Insurance Commissioners from The American College of Gastroenterology; Daniel Pambianco, MD, FACG; Dayna Early, MD, FACG; and Sita Chokhavatia, MD, MACG.