Affordability, not surprisingly, is the public's leading concern with the U.S. health care system. But when cost is removed as an option, they rank prior authorization as the biggest problem, the latest KFF Heath Tracking Poll found.
One in three insured U.S. adults say they find prior authorizations a "major burden" to getting health care. An additional 4 in 10 say the process is a "minor burden," bringing the total share of insured adults who find the process burdensome to about 7 in 10. This is larger than the share who cite other aspects, such as understanding bills or what is owed (60%); securing needed appointments (60%); or finding providers who accept their insurance (53%).
The choice of prior authorizations as the single biggest burden is even starker among adults with a chronic condition that requires ongoing medical treatment. These individuals often require more treatments and medications, resulting in more interactions with health insurance companies and health care providers. Thirty-nine percent of insured adults with a chronic condition say prior authorizations are the single biggest burden when it comes to getting health care, which is at least twice the percentage who say the same about the other aspects of health care.
Among other findings:
- Prior authorizations are identified as the single biggest burden among individuals across insurance types, including individuals with Medicaid, people who buy their own health insurance and those who get health insurance through an employer.
- Overall, about two-thirds of adults say delays and denials of health care services by insurance companies are a "major problem," with an additional one in four saying they are a "minor problem." Just 1 in 10 adults say delays and denials of services by insurance companies are not a problem.
- About one in three insured adults say an insurance company has denied coverage for a certain health care service treatment or medication prescribed by their doctor in the past two years.
- Three in 10 insured adults say a health insurance company has delayed their ability to get such services, treatments or medications or required them to try a lower-cost drug or treatment before covering the one that originally was recommended by their provider.
- One-third of those who experienced a denial or delay say the actions required by their insurer had a "major negative impact" on their mental health and emotional wellbeing, as well as on their finances. One in four (or one in eight of all insured adults) say the delays or denials has a "major negative impact" on their physical health.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.