Patients and Physicians Speak Out

See how patients and health care professionals around the country are negatively impacted by prior authorization burdens.

Audience

Watch

– Alëna Balasanova, MD, Nebraska
– Candace M., Georgia
– Cindy Firkins-Smith, MD, Minnesota
– Frank Dowling, MD, New York
– Frank Dowling, MD, New York
– Hugh Taylor, MD, Massachusetts
– Linda H., Maryland
– Thomas Eppes, Jr., MD, Virginia
– Mary Campagnolo, MD, New Jersey
– Virginia Hall, MD, Pennsylvania
– Benjamin Galper, MD, Maryland
– Jack Resneck, Jr., MD, California
– Kathryn J., Connecticut
– Matthew Grierson, MD, Washington
– Barbara McAneny, MD, New Mexico
– Daniel P. Edney, MD, Mississippi

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[Prior authorization] shackles my ability to help get the medications my patients need.

– Jesse V., MD, Michigan

[Prior authorization] shackles my ability to help get the medications my patients need. I have had countless instances where patients have had worsening disease because of the delay and inadequacies of the current PA system.

– Jesse V., MD, Michigan

The red tape I go through is insane, especially to obtain my breast MRI each spring that's ordered by my breast surgeon.

– Jane M., Illinois

I'm a breast cancer survivor. I live in a rural area in southern Illinois.The red tape I go through is insane, especially to obtain my breast MRI each spring that's ordered by my breast surgeon. It scares me because if my cancer does return, I want to be able to begin treatment as soon as possible, without waiting to wade through a bureaucratic mess.

– Jane M., Illinois

The pharmacy calls me later and tells me the insurance needs to get this authorized . . . If there had not been a refill on file for the lower dose we would have had a big problem on our hands. I would have had to take him back to the hospital.

– Mj O., New York

I had a few incidents this year where my son was hospitalized …Took his prescriptions over to the pharmacy after each release. The pharmacy calls me later and tells me the insurance needs to get this authorized . . . The pharmacy was not able to get a hold of the doctor that afternoon. I asked the pharmacist what can we do, he needs the medication and cannot skip it. They look up the cost and it was over $1,400 dollars for a 15 day supply. I didn't have the funds for that. Luckily, there was a refill on a lower dose of that medication on file that had been approved before so all I had to give him was double that dose. When they finally were able to get a hold of the doctor he called the insurance company. If there had not been a refill on file for the lower dose we would have had a big problem on our hands. I would have had to take him back to the hospital.

– Mj O., New York

My husband went without blood thinners for two months because we switched insurance carriers (because I switched jobs and had no choice).

– Deb C., Illinois

Yes. My husband went without blood thinners for two months because we switched insurance carriers (because I switched jobs and had no choice). He could have had a stroke or pulmonary embolism, but the insurance company doesn’t care!

– Deb C., Illinois

Couldn't get my new diabetes Rx when the doctor changed medicines without prior authorization and that took 10 days to get it.

– Ann J., Arkansas

Couldn't get my new diabetes Rx when the doctor changed medicines without prior authorization and that took 10 days to get it.

– Ann J., Arkansas

I had to wait for a month for my insurance to approve an MRI when I broke my shoulder.

– Cheri N.

I had to wait for a month for my insurance to approve an MRI when I broke my shoulder.

– Cheri N., State
Share your story

Have you ever gone to the pharmacy to fill a prescription only to be told that your insurance company requires approval before they'll cover your treatment? Have you ever waited for days, weeks or months for a test or medical procedure to be scheduled because you needed authorization from an insurer? Or are you a physician frustrated with the administrative headaches and their impact on your patients?

Please tell us know how prior authorization has impacted you. We are looking for stories from patients and physicians to highlight and draw attention to this issue that is impacting the health of so many Americans.

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Share your story

Have you ever gone to the pharmacy to fill a prescription only to be told that your insurance company requires approval before they'll cover your treatment? Have you ever waited for days, weeks or months for a test or medical procedure to be scheduled because you needed authorization from an insurer? Or are you a physician frustrated with the administrative headaches and their impact on your patients?

Please tell us know how prior authorization has impacted you. We are looking for stories from patients and physicians to highlight and draw attention to this issue that is impacting the health of so many Americans.

Name
Upload requirements
Release Information