Have you ever felt stuck waiting for your doctor’s approval to get the care you need? That’s because of something called prior authorizations—rules that make doctors get permission from insurance companies before giving treatments or medicine. This can cause long delays, stress, and even make people sicker while they wait.

But there’s good news! A new law, called HR Bill 639, might change all of that. If this bill passes, it will remove prior authorizations, making it easier for doctors to help patients quickly. As a patient advocate, I know how frustrating these delays can be. In this post, I’ll explain what this bill means, how it can help patients and healthcare workers, and what you can do to support these changes.

What is HR Bill 639?

HR Bill 639 is a new idea in Congress that could change how healthcare works. If it passes, doctors won’t have to wait for permission from insurance companies before treating their patients. This means:

• Less waiting time for medicine and treatments
• Doctors can focus on care instead of paperwork
• Fewer delays that could make health problems worse

This bill is a big step toward making healthcare simpler and faster for everyone.

How Does This Help Patients?

Getting rid of prior authorizations would make a huge difference in patient care. Here’s how:

1. Faster Treatment

Right now, people often wait days—or even weeks—for their insurance company to approve care. Without prior authorizations, patients can start treatment right away.

2. Less Stress

No more back-and-forth between doctors and insurance companies. Patients won’t have to worry about whether their medicine or treatment will be approved.

3. Better Health

Delays can make some health conditions worse. This bill helps make sure people get the care they need before it’s too late.

How Does This Help Healthcare Workers?

Doctors, nurses, and patient advocates spend hours dealing with paperwork for prior authorizations. If this bill passes:

• Doctors can spend more time treating patients instead of filling out forms.
• Nurses won’t have to call insurance companies over and over again.
• Patient advocates can focus on helping patients get the right care instead of fighting red tape.

What Can You Do?

If you think HR Bill 639 is a good idea, here’s how you can help:

• Learn More: Read about the bill on Congress.gov.
• Talk About It: Share this with friends and family who have struggled with delays in care.
• Support Patient Advocacy: Join groups like The Circle, where advocates work together to improve healthcare.

Real-Life Impact

Imagine a child with asthma waiting days for approval to get the right inhaler. Or someone with cancer needing treatment, but the insurance company takes too long to approve it. These delays shouldn’t happen, and this bill could help fix that.

Let’s Make Healthcare Work Better

Getting rid of prior authorizations means faster care, less stress, and better health for everyone.  If you have more questions or just want to chat about prior authorizations, reach out to me directly at Nicole Broadhurst

For independent patient advocates: if you’re looking for a place to learn, connect, and get real-time support, I invite you to join me in The Circle. It’s where we meet live each week to tackle topics like this one, share strategies, and support each other in building sustainable, profitable practices.

Let’s demystify healthcare billing, one patient at a time!