Rise in MA Prior Authorization Denials: New Study Sheds Light
![Image](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM30TBW64nRUXy6xQ8qnoEDhx-28E1BWYrMUZzZh7SzOdPSEPp6nqGe9l5mALTKqC3RKGHa4MZDP1okceQTd7nLqE4f4Ox8RC5-7leYCsNBR3x4vl5Mu3-DrcHCRBhteZNX1Udwx8r2aIDNaAnV-NMnaq9aGPqzkxIksTGhTElYGJ8KBtOLItQTZiPGQYV/w640-h334/MA%20Prior%20Authorization%20Denials.png)
A new study reveals considerable differences among Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in the volume of determinations and the frequency of denials. Notably, there was a surge in MA Prior Authorization Denials between 2021 and 2022, as highlighted by recent health policy research. Researchers analyzed data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, uncovering that 46 million prior authorization requests were submitted to MA insurers in 2022, averaging 1.7 requests per enrollee. Increase in MA Prior Authorization Denials: 7.4% of Requests Rejected in 2022: Of these requests, 3.4 million, or 7.4%, were denied, underscoring the growing issue of prior authorization denials in Medicare Advantage. This marks an increase from 5.8% in 2021, 5.6% in 2020, and 5.7% in 2019. Despite the rise in denial rates, the number of requests per enrollee in 2022 remained on par with 2019 levels. The study also revealed significant disparities among Medicare Advantage plans in the number of determina