Bill Seeks to Prevent Health Coverage Delays for North Dakota Patients

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong.  (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)

(By: Mary Steurer. North Dakota Monitor) – New legislation signed  by Gov. Kelly Armstrong aims to protect patients from care-delaying snags in the health insurance prior authorization process.

Prior authorization refers to when someone must obtain approval from their insurance company before they can undergo a procedure, obtain medication or receive some other health service.

The process allows insurance companies to review whether the service or medication is necessary for the patient. Insurers say prior authorization helps control costs and make sure that patients are getting the best care they can.

But some doctors, patients and advocates say the process can be misused in a way that prevents people from accessing necessary services, or that leaves patients and hospitals to foot the bill for expensive treatments.