Health care leaders collaborate to streamline prior authorization

WASHINGTON — Physicians, pharmacists, medical groups, hospitals, and health insurance providers are working together to improve prior authorization processes for patients’ medical treatments, also known as pre-approval. This will help patients have access to safe, timely, and affordable care, while reducing administrative burdens for both health care professionals, hospitals and health insurance providers.

If a treatment or prescription requires prior authorization, it must be approved by a health insurance provider beforehand. This is one way health insurance providers help ensure a treatment is safe and supported by scientific evidence. When applied appropriately, these processes help to maximize the value of every dollar spent on coverage and care.