9 takeaways from AMA prior authorizations survey

The American Medical Association released the results of a physician survey on the effects of prior authorization March 13.

The survey used a sample of 1,001 physicians, comprising 40 percent primary care physicians and 60 percent specialists who are currently practicing in the United States.

The survey found that nearly 2 in 5 physicians have a staff member dedicated to working on prior authorizations, which practices on average complete 45 of per physician per week.

Here are eight additional takeaways from the survey:

1. Ninety-four percent of physicians reported prior authorization has resulted in some sort of delay of care.
2. Eighty-nine percent of physicians reported prior authorization had a negative effect on clinical outcomes.
3. Eighty percent of physicians reported prior authorization led to their patients abandoning treatment due to the delay in care.
4. Eighty-six percent of physicians reported a higher use of healthcare resources due to prior authorization, resulting in unnecessary waste instead of cost-saving benefits.
5. Fifty-eight percent of physicians claimed prior authorization had a negative impact on their patient's job performance.
6. Forty-six percent of physicians reported prior authorization resulted in urgent or emergency care for their patients.
7. Thirty-three percent of physicians reported prior authorization led to a "serious adverse event" for a patient they were treating.
8. Nine percent of physicians reported prior authorization resulted in a patient's disability/permanent bodily damage, congenital anomaly/birth defect or death.