Prior Authorization in Healthcare

SOURCE npr.org
New Jersey recently passed a law to make the prior authorization process for medical treatments faster, which has been causing troublesome delays for patients. The process requires insurance companies to decide on prior authorization within three days and urgently needed medicine within 24 hours.

Key Points

  • New Jersey passed a law to speed up the prior authorization process for medical treatments.
  • More than 90% of doctors reported that their patients faced delays in healthcare due to prior authorization.
  • The legislation requires health insurance companies to decide on prior authorization within three days and urgent medication within 24 hours.

Pros

  • Faster decision-making for prior authorization can help patients get necessary treatments quicker.
  • The new law in New Jersey aims to address delays and speed up the process for medical treatments.
  • Prior authorization can help in the efficient allocation of resources and potentially save costs.

Cons

  • Prior authorization can lead to patients facing delays in receiving necessary medical treatments.
  • The process can cause moral distress for doctors and impact the quality of care they deliver.
  • Insurance companies may deny approval for certain treatments, affecting patient outcomes.