April 23, 2026

Re: MGMA’s Support for the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act
 

Dear Representatives Joyce, Schrier, Murphy, Panetta, Miller-Meeks, Bera, and Van Duyne,

On behalf of our member medical group practices, the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) writes to thank you for introducing the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act. With a membership of more than 60,000 medical practice administrators, executives, and leaders, MGMA represents more than 15,000 medical group practices ranging from small private medical practices to large national health systems representing more than 350,000 physicians. We strongly support this legislation which will reform prior authorization, ensure medical groups receive prompt payment, and institute appropriate oversight of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.

Prior authorization, denials, and downcoding in MA are three of the top five administrative burdens for medical groups in 2026.1 These excessive utilization tactics delay care, undermine appropriate physician payment, and force practices to divert resources from patient care into unnecessary administrative tasks. Without policy intervention, participating in MA will become untenable for many practices and MA beneficiaries may face more barriers to accessing care.

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