Insurer Prior Authorization Denial Rates Top 18%, New KFF Survey Finds

A Kaiser Family Foundation survey indicates prior authorization denial rates across major insurers remain high, exceeding 18% for some plans. The data confirms that PA remains a persistent barrier to care and a primary source of administrative cost for practices. The survey, which likely builds on earlier KFF analyses, suggests payer scrutiny has not eased despite regulatory pressure and industry pledges to streamline the process. Practices should continue to track their own denial rates by payer and service line. Use this data to prioritize which payer contracts need renegotiation for clearer medical-necessity criteria or faster appeal pathways.