The association conducted the poll May 18, and received 716 applicable responses. Eighty-one percent said payer prior authorization requirements increased, 17 percent said authorizations “stayed the same” and 2 percent said they decreased.
The poll also found that some healthcare leaders added full-time positions to handle prior authorization work in the last year. Girard Bullaro, administrator of McKinney, Texas-based Wellness ASC told Becker’s ASC Review that hiring a prior authorization specialist helped the center attain 100 percent compliance.
“Margins are always going to be tight, and it’s worth the extra cost of an additional person,” he said. “It more than pays for itself.”
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.