Prior Authorization Linked To 3–6x Delays And Higher Non-Fill Rates For Heart Failure Medications

Insured adults with heart failure who were subject to prior authorization requirements took significantly longer to fill prescriptions and were more likely to never initiate treatment, according to a recent study. Patients facing prior authorization took 3.03 times longer to fill prescriptions for angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) and 6.75 times longer to fill sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is). They were also 2.23 times more likely to never fill SGLT2i prescriptions.

The analysis included 2,183 individuals with heart failure who were newly prescribed an ARNI or SGLT2i between April 1, 2021, and April 30, 2023 . . .