2021 National Survey on Prior Authorization Burden and Its Impact on Gastroenterology Practice

INTRODUCTION: Prior authorizations (PAs) are intended to control prescription drug expenditures. METHODS: One hundred fifty-six physician and advanced practice provider members of the American College of Gastroenterology completed a national survey to assess PA burden and impact. RESULTS: One-half of PA requests relate to prescription refills. Greater than 50% of the respondents choose inferior treatments at least weekly because of perceived PA burden for preferred agents. One-half of the respondents reported a patient who experienced serious adverse events due to PA-related care delays. DISCUSSION: PA is an administrative burden that exhausts practice resources and may have a negative impact on patient care.

Automated summary

Prior authorizations (PAs) are intended to control prescription drug expenditures but have imposed a significant burden on physicians and patients. More than half of the PA requests are related to prescription refills, resulting in physicians frequently choosing suboptimal treatments. Additionally, half of the respondents reported patients experiencing serious adverse events due to care delays caused by PAs.