Treatment Delays Associated With Prior Authorization for Infusible Medications: A Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Prior authorizations (PAs) are commonly used by health payers as cost-containment strategies for expensive medications, including infused biologics. There is scarce data about the effect of PA requirements on patient-oriented outcomes.

Methods

We included patients for whom an infusible medication was prescribed for a rheumatologic condition. The exposures of interest were a PA requirement and whether or not the PA was denied. The primary outcome was the difference in days from medication request to infusion. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of denied PAs and differences in glucocorticoid exposure following a PA request.

Results

Of the 225 patients, the infusible medications of 160 (71%) required a PA. PAs were associated with a greater number of da

SUBMITTER: Wallace ZS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7062557 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature