Families Scramble To Pay Five-Figure Bills as Clock Ticks on Promised Preauthorization Reforms By Lauren Sausser March 13, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/prior-authorization-insurer-pledge-awaiting-reforms-patients-families-bills/?utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--bsnDe3ucOxpjsakb9HtuWXJjrMt-ihzuYzDnuS-aCdSz8RbKsPUPfykduUxgSvx_UgTt919lf4FjPbR5ooeoBnDDgXw&_hsmi=408691580&utm_content=408691580&utm_source=hs_email Families Scramble To Pay Five-Figure Bills as Clock Ticks on Promised Preauthorization Reforms By Lauren Sausser Last summer, the Trump administration announced a voluntary pledge by health insurers to reform prior authorization, which often requires patients or their doctors to seek preapproval from insurers before proceeding with medical care. Patient advocates and medical providers remain skeptical. Deadly Denials Designed by health insurance companies to prevent doctors from deploying expensive, ineffectual procedures, prior authorization — sometimes called preauthorization or pre-certification — has become a confusing maze that denies or delays care, burdens physicians with paperwork, and perpetuates racial disparities. Proposed federal rules may not be enough to solve the problems. https://kffhealthnews.org/deadly-denials/?utm_campaign=khn-weeklyedition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2anqtz-9zzob78jdyazgzx91mjlien48xxrqz3abigvzyx6rwhdaw1jwd1-slwwwzprzwgappuwl5aqe1pswskfbh-6755g3uvg&_hsmi=408691580&utm_content=408691580&utm_source=hs_email