Now is the time for Cigna to commit to a broader set of reforms

Statement attributable to:
Bruce A. Scott, M.D.
President, American Medical Association

“The AMA is pleased that Cigna announced their intention to implement ‘tangible actions’ to improve health care including changes to their prior authorization processes. Now we await action.  

“Last month marked the seventh anniversary of the consensus statement between the AMA and the health insurance industry that outlined comprehensive steps to help patients get access to safe, timely, and affordable care, while reducing administrative burdens for both health care professionals, hospitals and health insurers. 

"The AMA calls on Cigna to formally commit to the comprehensive reforms in the consensus statement and bring down barriers to medically necessary care.  This includes taking immediate actions significantly reducing the volume of authorization requirements, using transparent and evidenced-based clinical criteria, ensuring that qualified physicians are the only ones making denials, and requiring that decisions are made within hours, not days or weeks.” 

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The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care.  The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.