Fast 10 is in theaters today. With all due respect to Rita Moreno, the mindlessness of these Fast & Furious movies is evident in the fact that this is the 11th or maybe the 12th movie in the series (depending on who is counting) and yet is called Fast 10. While these movies are just dumb, there are truly great actors in it. That’s what we think of when we watch the electronic prior authorization discussion unfolding — it cuts both ways. There is vehement agreement that health plan prior authorization processes are slow and stupid. It is mostly a manual, expensive process right now, so CMS, health plans, hospitals, and physicians all agree that we need to apply computerized, smart algorithms to make coverage decisions faster and more automatic. And yet, no less than the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee is questioning the automation of the prior authorization process this week. The Committee held a hearing on prior auth because of a ProPublica investigation. We understand why reporters on the lookout for evil in industry would take issue with a computer giving a thumbs down to coverage of a requested medical service — denying coverage bad, approving coverage good — but it is a mindless, fast and furious response to a complex problem. As Jason Momoa says in Fast 10: “Game’s not over yet.”
May 19, 2023 | 3 min read
May 19, 2023
Maverick's Update
Only What Matters in Health Information Policy
REQUEST A DEMO
MyMaverick is a subscription service that provides access to analysis and news across the health technology policy landscape.
Sign Up
Speaking Engagements & Custom Services
Maverick offers a range of flexible services tailored to each client’s needs.
View Services