Prior authorization ranks as the single biggest burden insured Americans face when navigating the healthcare system, according to a KFF Health Tracking Poll published Feb. 2.
The poll was conducted Jan. 13-20 among 1,426 U.S. adults.
Five things to know:
- One-third of insured adults say prior authorization is a “major burden” to getting healthcare, with another 37% calling it a “minor burden.” That makes it more burdensome than understanding medical bills (60%), getting needed appointments (60%) or finding providers who accept their insurance (53%).
- When asked to identify the single biggest burden beyond costs, 34% of insured adults said prior authorization, nearly double the next-closest issue. The share rises to 39% among adults with a chronic condition requiring ongoing treatment.
- Nearly half of insured adults (47%) say they have had a service, treatment or medication either denied or delayed by their insurer in the past two years. Among those with a chronic condition, that figure climbs to 57%.
- About two-thirds of adults say delays and denials by insurers are a “major problem” in the current healthcare system. Just one in ten say they are not a problem.
- Among those who experienced a denial or delay, one-third say it had a “major negative impact” on their mental health and finances, and one-quarter say it had a major negative impact on their physical health.
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