Physicians and support staff spend significant time on manual prior authorizations, which leads to delays in prescription pickups and increased workload. Surveys indicate a strong demand for electronic prior authorization integration within EHR systems, which could enhance efficiency and patient care. Practices are encouraged to request electronic solutions that eliminate the hassle of faxes and improve workflow.

1. Feeling the Pain of
Prior Authorization?
Get the full story on how much you’re spending and how your EHR can help.
Physicians and their support
staff spend 5-8 hours a week
on manual prior authorizations
and the related run-around.
80%
of requests require
extra work, rework
or phone/fax
follow-ups1
30%
of a practice's
incoming calls
are from patients
looking for their
prescriptions2
40%
of prescriptions
are never picked
up due to prior
authorization
delays3
Physicians and clinical support staff say
having access to electronic prior authorization
is a priority and an expectation.
64%
think their EHR should provide
electronic prior authorization.
83% say adding electronic prior
authorization is a priority.
88%
of EHRs understand that it is
a priority for their customers.
Benefits of Prior Authorization
1. “Allows us to focus our time and
energies on other areas of the practice.”
2. “Less time spent validating prescriptions
via phone calls from the pharmacy.”
3. “Reduces staff's total time commitment
to obtaining prior authorizations.”
As shared in a recent survey of physicians and clinical support staff.
Replacing manual prior authorization
with electronic could free up my
clinical staff to focus on patient care
and other important tasks.”
Ask your EHR to offer it.
Make sure it doesn't
require faxes or portals.
Insist that it be integrated
with your existing workflow.
Your EHR may
be able to help.
In many cases, electronic
prior authorization may
already be available.
You just need to ask for it.
#PriorAuthMadeEasy
The survey was commissioned by Surescripts and conducted by Physicians Practice and HIMSS Media from Nov-Dec, 2015, with participation from more than
300 providers, clinical and administrative support staff and EHR vendors across the country.
1. http://wayne-oliver.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Electronic-Prior-Authorization-White-Paper-Final-Mar-161.pdf
2. http://www.aafp.org/fpm/2002/0600/p45.html
3. http://www.amcp.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=8199