Do doctors trust AI to improve prior authorizations?

As the health care industry races toward tighter federal deadlines for prior authorization, clinicians are signaling that it’s time for a major overhaul. A national survey from Cohere Health finds that most physicians and practice administrators are ready to embrace artificial intelligence and digital-first tools to make the process faster, more consistent, and less burdensome.

Prior authorization—originally designed to ensure appropriate care and control costs—has long been criticized for doing the opposite: delaying treatment, overloading staff, and frustrating patients. The system’s reliance on outdated methods such as fax machines, manual reviews, and opaque approval timelines continues to create costly inefficiencies. For many clinicians, the result is a daily struggle between delivering timely care and navigating administrative red tape.

The situation is becoming increasingly urgent. New federal rules will soon require health plans to respond to most prior authorization requests in a matter of days rather than weeks. To comply, insurers and health systems will need to modernize their systems rapidly, adopting technologies that can streamline the flow of information between providers and payers.

Survey results suggest that clinicians are not only open to that change but eager for it. Their responses point to a strong desire for automation and transparency, provided that technology supports rather than replaces clinical judgment. AI-powered tools that can analyze patient records, apply evidence-based criteria, and deliver real-time updates could help eliminate much of the friction in today’s process.

As pressure builds from regulators and clinicians alike, the industry appears to be at a turning point. Health plans that move quickly to modernize with AI and interoperable systems may not only meet compliance standards but also gain a competitive edge—by freeing physicians to focus more on care and less on paperwork.