The problem for me is getting the prescriptions that I need. I have a back injury that I had surgery for but still have issues with pain, mostly sciatica. My doctor won’t write for narcotics, Tylenol doesn’t help and I can’t take anti-inflammatory meds due to being on blood thinners and having already had a GI bleed. Lidocaine patches are the only thing that eases the pain, but the insurance company won’t cover them without prior authorization and because I don’t have diabetic neuropathy or shingles. Go figure! So now what am I left with for the pain? Absolutely nothing. Why can’t they just use common sense?

– Nadine G., Michigan
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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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