L.A. Care Health Plan has removed 24% of its prior authorization requirements.
L.A. Care, the largest publicly operated health plan in the country, will no longer require prior authorization for most specialty visits, according to an Aug. 7 news release.
The insurer will no longer require prior authorization for around 50% of lab and radiology codes, durable medical equipment and catheters.
"There is a place for prior authorization. It provides crucial timely information, ensures patient safety and minimizes fraud," L.A. Care CEO John Baackes said. "But L.A. Care understands that it shouldn’t be used as a cost-control mechanism, or as a way to delay or deny appropriate care."
Several payers have moved to cut back on prior authorization requirements. Point32Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and BCBS Michigan have all removed prior authorization codes in the past year.
In 2023, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare both eliminated more than 20% of their prior authorization requirements.