Prior Authorization Burdens Are Hurting Patients and Physicians
Colleagues:
MSSNY recently conducted a survey among New York physicians, which finds a dramatic increase in the use of prior authorization protocols by insurance companies over the last five years. The excessive use of these requirements delays our patients from receiving the care they need and accelerates health care worker “burnout.”
We all know how disruptive the prior authorization situation is for our practices, and of course how concerning it is for our patients. Physicians and staff are forced to spend enormous amounts of time on the phone and online with insurance bureaucrats, which takes time away from patient care. Patients face the uncertainty whether their needed care will be covered.
Respondents to our MSSNY survey say the striking increase is having a significant impact on patient access to the best treatments, with nearly 50% saying that prior authorizations caused delays and caused patients to abandon their treatment. Almost 40% said delays led to serious adverse outcomes for the patient.
Too many physicians and other healthcare providers find themselves stuck on the phone with insurance companies, pleading for their patients to be able to obtain the medications or treatments they need. This is untenable. We need policymakers to take steps to help reduce these burdens.
Please take a moment to send a letter to your legislators in support of various prior authorization reform bills (A.7628- Weprin/S.3400-Breslin). These bills would help reduce the burdens associated with prior authorizations including prohibiting repeat prior auth requirements as well as prohibiting prior authorizations when these services are already regularly approved.
Read MSSNY’s press release about the prior authorization survey here.
Paul A. Pipia, MD
MSSNY President
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