The paperwork burden of prior authorization keeps climbing, and for some ASCs, the only way through is to treat it like a daily fight. In 2023, MA insurers denied 3.2 million, or 6.4%, of prior authorization requests. Ms. Auguste said patients can help push the request forward, especially when they reiterate the urgency and clinical need. “We’re actively fighting the insurance company regularly and escalating every single time,” Ms. Auguste said. Use contract negotiations as leverageLastly, Ms. Auguste said contract negotiations are part of the prior authorization strategy, including the willingness to walk away from a payer if issues persist.