Prior Authorization: The Silent Killer in American Healthcare

“We need to get you treatment immediately… but first, let’s ask your insurance company for permission.”

That’s the gut-wrenching reality facing millions of Americans. Every day, doctors diagnose critical, life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, cancer, strokes, and severe infections. Yet instead of immediately beginning treatment, they must stop and ask insurance companies for permission.

This process, called prior authorization, is quietly killing patients.

What Is Prior Authorization?

Prior authorization (PA) is a policy that requires doctors to get approval from insurance companies before prescribing medications, ordering tests, or performing procedures. It was originally designed to prevent unnecessary treatments. Today, it is used to delay or block access to care, often in ways that put patients’ lives at risk.

The evidence is alarming:

✅ 94 percent of doctors report that prior authorization delays necessary care
✅ One in three physicians say PA has caused serious harm to patients, including death
✅ Some insurers automatically deny requests, hoping patients will not appeal

Real Patients, Real Harm

The impact of prior authorization is personal and devastating.

💔 Heart Attack Patient Denied a Stent
A cardiologist ordered a stent for a patient in the middle of a cardiac emergency. The insurance company denied the request and suggested medication instead. The patient died before the appeal was even reviewed.

💔 Chemotherapy Delayed, Tumor Grew
A woman with aggressive breast cancer needed immediate chemotherapy. Her insurer demanded additional documentation. By the time they approved the treatment, her tumor had doubled in size.

💔 Insulin Delay Led to Diabetic Coma
A Type 1 diabetic was prescribed fast-acting insulin. The insurance company delayed approval for two weeks. During that time, the patient was hospitalized in a diabetic coma.

How Insurance Companies Use Prior Authorization to Boost Profits

💰 They make the process difficult so people give up
Insurers routinely deny valid claims, assuming patients will be too exhausted or ill to appeal. Meanwhile, doctors and hospitals waste hours on paperwork instead of providing care.

💰 They delay care until it is too late
Many treatments must be given quickly to work, especially for stroke, sepsis, or cancer. Prior authorization slows access to care and, in many cases, patients miss their treatment window.

💰 They avoid paying for expensive treatments
Prior authorization is often used to block access to costly but effective care. Even if the patient eventually wins the appeal, the delay saves the insurer money at the patient’s expense.

This System Must Change

🚨 Ban prior authorization for emergency and life-saving treatments
🚨 Require insurers to respond to PA requests within 24 hours
🚨 Hold insurance companies accountable when delays cause harm

Join the Fight for Patients’ Lives

We are building a Political Action Committee (PAC) to take action where insurers and lawmakers have failed.

✔️ Support candidates who will reform prior authorization laws
✔️ Expose the policies that put profits ahead of patients
✔️ Fund advocacy efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the system

Take Action Now

🔗 Donate to help us fight for change
🔗 Share your story if prior authorization harmed you or a loved one
🔗 Sign up for updates and opportunities to advocate

👉 Join the movement today. No one should die waiting for permission to stay alive.

By Ashley G.