Prior authorizations remain a major barrier to IBD care, with surveys showing that nearly all gastroenterologists view them as burdensome and detrimental to timely treatment.
Research cited in the article found that 90% of insurance policies were inconsistent with AGA guidelines, while prior authorizations delayed treatment by an average of 10 days—or nearly 25 days for more complex cases. These delays were associated with a 13% increase in IBD-related healthcare utilization, including emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and surgery, underscoring the growing administrative burden on both providers and patients.