A new Biden administration rule released Wednesday aims to streamline the prior authorization process used by insurers to approve medical procedures and treatments.

Prior authorization is a common tool used by insurers but much maligned by doctors and patients, who say it’s often used to deny doctor-recommended care.

Under the final rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, health insurers participating in Medicare Advantage, Medicaid or the ObamaCare exchanges will need to respond to expedited prior authorization requests within 72 hours, and standard requests within seven calendar days.

The rule requires all impacted payers to include a specific reason for denying a prior authorization request. They will also be required to publicly report prior authorization metrics.

  • Froyn@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    Then I’m full of shit and my wife’s reverse shoulder joint is a figment of our collective imaginations.

    • Telodzrum@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      It’s not one or the other. You’re full of shit and your wife would have gotten her reverse total joint surgery regardless.

      • Naberius@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        You literally say it in your own reply. “Sometimes medically necessary”. If you think nearly everything isn’t classified as that by a company who makes more money the more healthcare they don’t cover I don’t know what anyone can say to you to bring you back to the reality of US healthcare. They hire unemployable doctors with histories of malpractice to deny claims in bulk.

          • Naberius@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            I did. It was truly unfortunate. After working in healthcare for a decade I thought i had seen all possible shit takes…I was wrong lol.

      • Fedizen@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Insurers are known to automatically deny procedures based on what is essentially a flow chart (illegal) rather than a medical professional review of the case (required by law). This is why most insurers back down when a prior authorization is requested.

        The whole process is being abused by insurers and if you ask doctors, nurses, pharmacists they’ll tell you the process is being abused.