Debra Patt: Navigating the healthcare landscape can be an overwhelming journey for patients
Debra Patt, Executive Vice President of Policy and Strategy at Texas Oncology, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Navigating the healthcare landscape can be an overwhelming journey for patients, especially when it comes to life-threatening conditions like cancer. One of the significant hurdles many patients encounter is insurance denials for necessary treatments.
According to a recent survey conducted by the American Medical Association (AMA), nearly 93% of physicians reported that prior authorization can lead to delays in patient care.
These delays can be especially critical for cancer patients, where time is of the essence. It’s heartbreaking to think that administrative processes can hinder access to life-saving therapies.
The survey highlights several key challenges:
Complexity of Treatment Approval: The labyrinth of insurance requirements can obscure what is often medically necessary for the patient.
Emotional Toll on Patients: The stress of waiting for approvals or appeal decisions can exacerbate the already challenging emotional landscape for those battling cancer.
Disruption of Care Continuity: When treatments are delayed, it can disrupt the continuity of care, impacting the overall treatment effectiveness.
As advocates for cancer care, it’s crucial that we work together to address these challenges. Increasing transparency in insurance processes, advocating for streamlined prior authorization protocols, and ensuring that physicians and patients have a voice in treatment decisions are steps we can take to improve this situation.
Let’s continue to raise awareness and push for change that ensures all patients, especially those facing cancer, receive the timely and effective care they deserve.”
More posts featuring Debra Patt.
Dr. Debra Patt is a practicing oncologist and breast cancer specialist based in Austin, Texas. She serves as Chair of the AI Task Force and a Board Member for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Dr. Patt is President of the Community Oncology Alliance and Executive Vice President for Policy and Strategic Initiatives at Texas Oncology.
She is also Medical Director of Public Policy for The US Oncology Network and a Clinical Professor at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin.
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