AMA Survey Results: Prior Authorization Wreaks Havoc on Patient Care

June 28, 2024

The American Medical Association (AMA) released the results of its nationwide 2023 prior authorization (PA) physician survey, which has been conducted annually since 2016. 

The survey went out to 1,000 practicing physicians across the county (400 primary care physicians and 600 specialists) to assess the impact of prior authorization on patients, physicians and their staff, and employers. The survey also assessed PA's overall impact on healthcare spending.

For the first time the survey also inquired about the “burdens” physicians experience with specific health plans, which are revealed in the results.

Read the AMA’s news release.

Here in Illinois, ISMS had also conducted a survey back in 2019 that exposed significant problems with the PA process. More than 95% of the physician surveyed reported that the prior authorization process caused harm to patients.

But thanks to ISMS, Illinois now has one of the most comprehensive prior authorization reform laws in the country! ISMS initiated and led a coalition of healthcare organizations to secure passage of the Prior Authorization Reform Act, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

During the 2024 Illinois Spring Legislative Session, an ISMS-backed bill cleared the General Assembly that would remove prior authorization for higher doses of buprenorphine for treating substance abuse disorder and address a physician’s freedom to prescribe controlled substances as they feel appropriate and most beneficial to their patients. The bill is on its way to Governor Pritzker’s desk.

Earlier this month, the governor signed the Medicaid omnibus bill into law, which includes removing prior authorization for administering prescription psychotropic drugs for adults with serious mental illness.

One by one, prior authorization regulations are being dismantled in Illinois!

 If you have questions, please contact ISMS Senior Vice President of State Legislative Affairs Erin O'Brien by email.