Staff time to request prior authorization
Average provider and staff time reported for a manual request and a health plan portal request.
| Request channel | Average minutes per request |
|---|---|
| Phone, fax or email | 24 minutes |
| Health plan portal | 16 minutes |
Key findings
- The reported averages were 24 minutes for the grouped manual channels and 16 minutes for a plan portal.
- The difference is eight minutes in reported staff time per request.
- These figures cover time spent requesting authorization, rather than the time until a payer makes a decision.
Methodology
The values are the two staff-time averages reported in the prior authorization chapter. They describe different workflows and case mixes. The difference does not establish savings for any particular provider or fax product.
Coverage
2024 Index edition. Time reported by medical providers and their staff when requesting an authorization from a health plan.
Data source
CAQH Index2024 CAQH Index · page 18 · Provider Time to Conduct Prior Authorizations
Chart by Fax · Reviewed
Related charts
How the 2024 CAQH Index divides medical prior authorization among manual, partial and fully electronic channels.
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