Driscoll Joins Prior Authorization Announcement Regarding Process Focusing on Streamlined Access to Care

Office of State Senator Bill Driscoll, Jr.
1 hour ago
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JANUARY 21, 2026

Senator Bill Driscoll Jr. (D-Milton) recently joined the Governor, Legislators, and many other Commonwealth healthcare leaders for a press conference held on Wednesday, January 14th. During the press briefing, Governor Healey announced the work of the Division of Insurance (DOI) to update prior authorization regulations. Also announced, the creation of the Health Care Affordability Working Group tasked with streamlining healthcare processes and lowering costs.

Prior authorizations are the approvals that doctors are required to obtain from a patient’s health insurance in order to prescribe a medication or provide a service. The hope is that by streamlining the prior authorization process there will be a reduction in delays and administrative burdens, ultimately making medications and services more easily and readily accessible for the patients that need them.

Specifically, these changes will end the requirement for insurance pre-approvals for the following:

Emergency services
In-patient acute care services
Post-acute care services during the weekend or holidays
Urgent care services
Primary care services
Chronic disease management services, devices, and prescription drugs
Vaccinations
Abortion and abortion-related care
Out-patient substance use disorder services
Maternity services
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy

The primary task of the working group is to develop new and innovative ways to decrease healthcare costs across Massachusetts in the long-term.

The Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare reports a 30% increase in costs related to prior authorizations, costs and administrative burdens that prevent patients from getting the care they need. In conjunction with standing up the working group, these actions continue Massachusetts' role as a national leader in the healthcare space, and shows the Commonwealth’s commitment to making healthcare affordable and accessible for all residents.

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