Listen: Why Do I Need Prior Authorization?

By Sarah Boden

February 17, 2026

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<br /> <span class="byline">Sarah Boden</span></p> <p>Listen in as “Life Kit” host Marielle Segarra and health reporter Sarah Boden untangle the red tape that can make the prior authorization process frustrating.</p> <p>When the doctor says you need a prescription or treatment, sometimes you need approval from your health insurance first. That’s called prior authorization. Without that sign-off, insurance won’t pay.</p> <p>What triggers the need for prior authorization is not fully clear. It’s another “black box” part of the health care system.</p><div class='code-block code-block-2' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8491116169425652" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8491116169425652" data-ad-slot="9880492892" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins> <script type="litespeed/javascript">(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({})</script></div> <p>You might think insurance companies mostly target expensive treatments or care approaches when a disagreement over effectiveness prompts a prior authorization review. Often that’s not the case. Some doctors complain they spend a lot of time filling out paperwork to try to secure approval for medicine or treatments that are routine.</p> <p>In the meantime, patients can be left in pain, while their medical conditions worsen.</p> <p><em>Health Care Helpline helps you navigate the health system hurdles between you and good care. Send us your tricky question and we may tap a policy sleuth to puzzle it out. </em><em>Share your story</em><em>.</em></p> <p>
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