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Excessive time and resources spent on documentation and administrative tasks can hurt patient outcomes.
Coding and billing, prior authorization, utilization review, excessive documentation standards, overly complex health IT—the unnecessary hoops PTs are required to jump through demand time and energy that could be focused instead on providing patient-centered care. Reduced administrative burden is something that needs to happen in every practice setting and payer, both commercial and federal.
Why It Matters
An APTA survey of members found that nearly 75 percent of respondents believe that administrative burdens such as prior authorization delay access to medically necessary care by 25%, and nearly as many agreed that these burdens negatively impact patient outcomes. More than 8 in 10 said that administrative burden contributes to burnout. And unnecessary burden is costly: our survey found that more than 75% of facilities have added nonclinical staff to accommodate administrative burden.
Care is being shortchanged. Providers are being pushed to their limits. Facilities are being forced to redirect money away from direct care to pay for unnecessary paperwork. It's time for a change.
Our position
APTA vigorously works to fight excessive administrative burden in whatever form it takes, and in all payment systems.
Recommended Content
Jul 1, 2019 / Infographic
Share this infographic that demonstrates how the amount of time and resources spent on documentation and administrative tasks impacts patient clinical outcomes.
Jul 15, 2021 / Position Paper
Bipartisan legislation that would increase oversight and transparency around the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans and require streamlining and standardization on their use of prior authorization.
Jul 1, 2019 / News
A wide majority of PTs say administrative burden negatively impacts patient outcomes and contributes to clinician burnout.
Additional Administrative Burden Advocacy Content
Dec 1, 2021 / Members Only
Dec. 1, 2021: Topics discussed: Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Vaccine Mandates, Commercial Payer Updates
Jul 26, 2021 / Roundup
From better insurer responsiveness to direct access improvements, to breakthroughs on PT use of imaging, lots of state-level achievements.
May 17, 2021 / News
The legislation would require MA plans to share data, provide transparency, create more efficient systems, and do a better job of listening.
Jan 31, 2020 / News
Here's how CMS could truly put "patients over paperwork."
Oct 22, 2019 / Review
A review found that the estimated annual cost of health care waste ranges from a total of $760 billion to $935 billion.
Sep 30, 2019 / Review
A CMS rule aimed at reducing Medicare- and Medicaid-related regulatory burdens for the most part hits the target.
Nov 2, 2018 / Article
When regulatory proposals are of interest to you, it's important to take that opportunity to use your voice.
Oct 15, 2018 / News
A bipartisan group of 103 legislators signed on to a request for investigations around the use of prior authorization in MA.
Apr 16, 2018 / News
It's time for the public-private hybrid system to evolve and move away from excessive use of prior authorization.
Jan 19, 2018 / News
6 major health industry groups issued a consensus statement outlining 5 ways the health care system could "improve the [prior authorization] process, promote quality and affordable health care, and reduce unnecessary burdens."