Providers frustrated with prior authorization workflows: 5 stats to know

Physicians have become increasingly frustrated with the tedium and manual effort required to manage prior authorization workflows, according to a recent survey by Surescripts.

Prior authorization was intended to improve cost controls for physicians prescribing drugs. However, labor-intensive manual workflows are requiring physicians to spend significantly more time engaged in prior authorization related tasks.

Surescripts surveyed more than 300 providers, clinical and administrative support staff and EHR vendor staff from across the country.

Below are five statistics to know from the survey.

1. About 80 percent of respondents said prior authorization requests demand extra work, rework and follow-up.

2. Respondents said about 30 percent of incoming calls to their practices are from patients looking for their prescriptions.

3. On average, respondents said both physicians and support staff spend five to eight hours a week on activities related to prior authorization processing.

4. About 83 percent believe electronic prior authorization is a priority.

5. About 64 percent agreed or strongly agreed EHR vendors should provide functionality to help alleviate the pain points in prior authorization workflows.

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