Use of Prior Authorization in Medicare Advantage Exceeded 46 Million Requests in 2022

Almost all enrollees in Medicare Advantage must get prior authorization for certain services. The number of these requests has risen to 46 million in 2022, while 7.4% of them were denied, a rise on previous years. Most of these rejections were not appealed, but when they were, over 80% were overturned. The use of prior authorization varies across different Medicare Advantage plans, raising concerns about barriers and delays to necessary care.