The Impact of Prior Authorization in Allergy/Immunology: A Position Statement of the AAAAI

Background: Prior authorizations (PA) are used by insurers to control health care costs by requiring providers to obtain approval before specific pharmaceuticals and/or medical services can be used. This process is often used for expensive therapies and limits plan members’ access with the goal to reduce health expenditures. Although initially used to promote lower-cost, but equally effective alternatives, it has become overused to the point where it is now a burdensome and time-consuming task, which diverts resources away from direct patient care to administrative duties.