STAT+: HHS adviser hopes prior authorization reform happens in ‘double-digit months,’ not years

STAT News · Feb 25, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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WASHINGTON — A top U.S. health official told a room full of doctors on Wednesday that he hopes the Trump administration’s efforts to whittle down the insurance industry’s use of prior authorizations will produce results “in double-digit months” instead of years, calling on his audience to also put pressure on their technology vendors to standardize the process. “There should be no human working on prior authorization, period,” Chris Klomp, director of the Center for Medicare, said. “We have the technology to effectuate appropriate clinical care based on your judgment, your decisions, very, very quickly, and that’s what we’re driving for.” Klomp, who now also serves as a senior counselor at the Department of Health and Human Services, overseeing the department’s day-to-day operations, made his comments at the American Medical Association’s national advocacy conference in Washington, D.C. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe