While prior authorization aims to reduce unnecessary care, it may limit or delay medically necessary care. Delays in cancer care can impact survival and are more common in historically-marginalized populations. Our objective was to examine to what extent disparities occurred in prior authorizations for gynecologic oncology. Using electronic medical records, we performed a retrospective review of prior authorization occurrence during gynecologic oncology care and analyzed the association with patient race and insurance in a multivariate regression model. In this cohort of 1,406 patients treated at an academic gynecologic oncology practice, patients with Medicare Advantage and patients of Asian descent were more likely to experience prior authorization. Addressing insurance-mediate disparities, such as in the occurrence of prior authorization, may help reduce disparities in gynecologic cancer care.
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Dr. Smith received funding from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Warren H. Pearse Women's Health Policy award and the University of Pennsylvania's Basser Center for BRCA for this research.
(© 2023 The Author(s).)