Rural physician tells committee prior authorizations delay care and impose steep administrative costs

Summary

Dr. Will Everett, a family physician at Grace Cottage, told a legislative committee that prior authorizations for imaging and procedures often delay needed care, create financial and logistical burdens for patients, and require dedicated administrative staff; he urged revising H.585’s language so hospital‑based primary care practices aren’t excluded from relief.

Dr. Will Everett, a family physician and hospitalist at Grace Cottage Family Health and Hospital in Townshend, Vermont, told a legislative committee that section 11 of H.585 should be revised because current prior authorization practices create delays in care and impose substantial administrative costs.

"The design of the system consistently leads to delays in care," Everett said, describing prior authorization as a step insurers require before approving payment for a service and noting that the process is now standard practice across health settings.

Everett cited a recent KFF poll, saying "47 percent of insured adults had a delay or denial of medical, medication service or treatment within the past two years" and that "69 percent of insured adults" found prior authorization "burdensome." He told the committee he would provide written testimony with supporting materials.

He offered two clinical examples to illustrate the…

Rural physician tells committee prior authorizations delay care and impose steep administrative costs

Summary

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