For too long, California patients have faced unnecessary delays in accessing care due to prior authorization red tape. Physicians spend hours each week fighting with health plans for approvals, while patients wait in pain, face delayed treatment, or risk serious harm. To address these harms, the California Medical Association is sponsoring two bills — AB 512 and SB 306 — that would significantly reform the state’s prior authorization system.

AB 512, authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian, would modernize state law by cutting the time health plans are allowed to respond to prior authorization requests:

• Electronic submissions – three business days for standard requests and 24 hours for urgent ones.
• Non-electronic submissions – five business days for standard requests and 48 hours for urgent ones.

SB 306, authored by Senator Josh Becker, targets unnecessary prior authorizations altogether. It allows the California Department of Managed Health Care to waive requirements for services and prescriptions that are almost always approved and requires health plans to report prior authorization data, increasing transparency and accountability.

Both CMA-sponsored bills have gained momentum — SB 306 passed the Senate unanimously and is now in the Assembly, while AB 512 is headed to the Senate floor. Grassroots advocacy from California physicians has been critical in moving these bills forward.

CMA will continue to fight for reforms that reduce administrative burdens, protect physician autonomy and ensure patients get timely access to the care they need.