Responding physicians also reported they frequently wait as much as a week for a response on preauthorization requests. The physicians called for an automated preauthorization process.
A spokeswoman for America’s Health Insurance Plans, the health insurers’ trade group, responded: “We have been working with the physician community to figure out how to move forward and make the daily transactions that go on as efficient as possible.”
Here are the results of the survey:
– 95 percent said it was “very important” or “important” to eliminate hassles caused by preauthorization requirements.
– 75 percent said they supported an automated preauthorization process.
– 64 percent said it was difficult to figure out which tests and procedures need preauthorization; 67 percent said the same about drug preauthorizations.
– 63 percent said they typically wait “several days” for an answer about a test or procedure, and 13 percent said they wait more than a week. For drugs, 69 percent said they wait several days, and 10 percent said they are used to waiting more than a week.
The Medical Group Management Association previously reported physicians spend an average of more than three hours a week with preauthorizations, costing staff $23.2 billion to $31 billion a year.
Read the American Medical News report on preauthorizations.
Read more coverage of preauthorizations:
– Nuts and Bolts of ACO Financial and Operational Success: Calculating and Managing to Actuarial Utilization Targets
– AMA Survey: Insurer Preauthorization Requirements Hurt Patient Care
