On average, how much time do physicians spend on activities related to prior authorization each week?

Physicians spend about 2 days each week on activities related to prior authorization on average. This time commitment reflects the extensive administrative burden that these processes impose on healthcare providers.

Prior authorization is a crucial step in ensuring that patients receive the necessary care while controlling costs, but it requires significant effort. Physicians must gather patient information, review medical records, communicate with insurance companies, and often respond to additional requests for information. The 2-day average underscores the importance of understanding the impact that prior authorization has on healthcare delivery, as it can detract from patient care and streamline workflows within medical practices.

This amount of time is commonly reported and helps highlight the need for systems or policies that can alleviate these burdens, ultimately allowing healthcare providers to focus more on their patients rather than administrative tasks.