Delivering a good patient experience is more important than ever. As the healthcare provider landscape continues to evolve, traditional providers increasingly go up against consumer-friendly retail giants who know what it takes to meet (and exceed) consumer expectations. FierceHealthcare reports that utilization of retail clinics has increased 200% over the past five years, outperforming urgent care centers, primary care practices and hospital ERs. 

Are you prepared to be compared? Cue the prior authorization software. When automation combines with what we call Collective Healthcare Intelligence™, it creates a symphony of efficiency that will have a positive impact on patient experiences. How? 

1. Calculate patient financial responsibility at the start

The 2022 HealthSparq Consumer Benchmark Report found that 89% of patients want accurate information on out-of-pocket costs. What’s more, 44% admit to avoiding care because of a lack of price transparency. Prior authorization software uses a patient’s exact benefits, co-pays and deductibles to determine what a patient will owe for a service. 

By providing the cost up front, you meet one critical expectation when it comes to patient satisfaction. Not to mention,  it better positions you to collect payment at the time of service or extend financing options to boost the likelihood of timely reimbursement. That’s probably music to your ears. 

2. Reduce errors through automation

Did you know that up to 86% of denials are potentially avoidable and 34% are absolutely avoidable? Automating the prior authorization process frees your staff from repetitive data entry. Prior auth software orchestrates a fluid workflow, pulling in needed data from patients, clinicians, and payers. This minimizes the potential for typos. Even payers benefit: No more TMI. 

Prior authorization software pulls in precisely the information needed, rather than overloading the request.  That’s an important step because providing too much information actually slows down the review process. Cleaner prior authorization requests lead to fewer delays and preventable denials. Obviously, that benefits patients and makes for a better experience. But it also reduces the need to rework prior authorization requests by 90%, saving your organization time and money. 

3. Accelerate access to medically-necessary care

Convenience is one of the top 5 requirements for today’s healthcare consumers. Those delays and denials mentioned above are certainly not convenient. By automating prior authorizations, you improve the quality of the requests you submit. In turn, this makes it easier for payers to adjudicate requests quickly. 

Setting a good tempo from benefits verification and eligibility to prior authorization status tracking, reduces friction for all parties. Providers avoid the frustration of time-consuming searches to determine prior auth requirements. Payers get consistent prior auth submissions that are easier to review. And patients get to embark on their treatment journeys without missing a beat.

4. Support the transition to value-based care

Interoperability has improved, but in order to make progress on value-based care, it needs to get better. Prior authorization software unlocks data silos. As a result, providers across a patient’s care continuum have the information needed to improve care coordination. 

But that’s just one of the benefits. Leveraging automated prior authorizations enables a continuous rhythm of care that amplifies patient satisfaction and engagement, both of which are crucial to achieving positive health outcomes within value-based care. 

5. Boost operational efficiency

Prior authorization software integrated with your EHR or other system of record turns a well-recognized administrative burden into a smooth and coordinated process. It reduces manual data entry by 70% or more. Because automation does the heavy lifting, it frees your staff and clinicians to increase capacity and stay focused on patients, not paperwork. 

Ready to find a harmonious balance between administration and patient care? 

Connect with Myndshft to see prior authorization software in action.