Even after paperwork is submitted, approvals can stall. Insurance companies may request additional documentation, require peer-to-peer reviews, or simply take days to respond. For patients, this can mean waiting in pain for a surgery, delaying a critical MRI, or going without a necessary medication. That is why it is worth studying the prior authorization guide. This will help medical centers provide timely and appropriate care without unnecessary costs and waste of time.

Insurance companies operate for profit. Denying or delaying a claim—even temporarily—can save them money. While not every delay is intentional, the structure of the system rewards insurers for making the process difficult. Many patients give up, pay out-of-pocket, or forego treatment altogether.