AMA survey shows physicians, patients heavily burdened by prior authorization

A majority of physicians say the prior authorization process continues to have a negative impact on patient outcomes and employee productivity, according to a survey by the American Medical Association. Nearly a quarter of physicians (24%) reported that prior authorization led to an adverse event for a patient, and more than nine in 10 reported prior authorization has a negative impact on patient outcomes (93%) and delays access to care (94%). More than a quarter of physicians (27%) reported prior authorization requests are often or always denied, and more than four in five (87%) reported prior authorization requirements lead to higher overall use of resources that result in unnecessary waste.