Prior authorizations are increasingly straining the healthcare industry, according to a survey of 1,000 practicing physicians in the U.S.
The American Medical Association conducted the survey, which included 400 primary care physicians and 600 specialists, in December. Prior authorizations impose significant costs on the industry through additional unnecessary office visits, immediate care visits and hospitalizations, the survey found.
Many physicians reported care delays, patients abandoning recommended treatment and serious adverse events associated with prior authorizations.
In addition to these concerns, prior authorizations take a toll on the physician workforce. Here are 10 statistics to know:
1. On average, physician practices complete 39 prior authorizations per physician, per week.
2. Physicians and their staff spend 13 hours each week on prior authorizations.
3. Forty percent of physicians have staff who exclusively work on prior authorizations.
4. Twenty percent of physicians said they always appeal an adverse prior authorization decision. About two-thirds said they do not appeal if they do not think the appeal will be successful, and more than half said they do not appeal if they have insufficient resources or time.
5. Thirty-one percent of physicians said prior authorizations are often or always denied.
6. Three in 4 physicians said the number of prior authorization denials has “increased somewhat or significantly” over the last five years.
7. Nearly 9 in 10 reported that the prior authorization process somewhat or significantly increases burnout.
8. Sixty-one percent of physicians said they are concerned that AI will increase or already has increased prior authorization denial rates.
