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Senate speeds prior‑authorization for Medicaid repairs of complex rehabilitation equipment
Summary
Senate Bill 549 requires Oregon Health Authority and coordinated care organizations to decide prior‑authorization requests for repair of complex rehabilitation technology within 72 hours; sponsors said the bill will reduce waits that leave Medicaid recipients without needed mobility equipment.
Senate Bill 549, which requires the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and coordinated care organizations (CCOs) to make prior‑authorization determinations for complex rehabilitation technology repairs within 72 hours, passed the Senate on third reading.
Senator Solman, who carried the bill, told senators that OHP beneficiaries often wait “an average of 14 to 21 days” for approval to repair wheelchairs and other mobility equipment, and that delays can force people to give up independence and safety. “Senate bill 549 will require OHA and CCOs to make a determination on request for prior authorization for repair within 72 hours,” Solman said on the floor.
Solman said the change was the result of stakeholder negotiation and that advocates, CCOs and industry supported the compromise. Senator Patterson described the bill as “a significant compromise” from earlier proposals that had sought to remove prior authorization entirely. Senator Robinson said waiting weeks for permission to replace wheelchair parts is “ridiculous” and urged support for speeding up approvals.
The Senate declared the bill passed on final reading with a constitutional majority.
The measure applies to repairs of wheelchairs and mobility equipment and was described on the floor as intended to reduce time people spend without critical assistive devices while authorization paperwork is processed.
