Health care advocates ask Vermont Senate to approve legislation that could reform prior authorization
Vermont Public
A group of health care advocates on Wednesday urged the Vermont Senate to support legislation that is designed to reduce administrative burdens for providers.
The bill would streamline the process for ordering key tests and prescribing drugs.
Dr. Kristin Connolly is a pediatrician in Milton. She says she's become increasingly frustrated when insurance companies require prior authorization before she can provide certain services for her patients.
She says in some cases, this process delays critical treatment.
"These unnecessary prior authorizations and frequently changed medication formularies are not motivated by improving patient care or reducing patient costs — in fact many are not even consistent with clinical guidelines," Connolly says. "The effects on patients and risks to patient health are tremendous."