Why is prior authorization such a burden for dermatology practices?

Dermatology faces a uniquely high volume of prescriptions that trigger insurance barriers, including biologics, topicals, and specialty medications. Combined with constantly changing formularies, payer portals, and step therapy requirements, prior authorizations have become one of the most time-consuming administrative tasks in the specialty.

How many hours per week do dermatology practices spend on prior authorizations?

According to AMA data, the average dermatology practice spends approximately 16 hours per week on prior authorization tasks — time taken directly away from patient care.

What can dermatology practices do to reduce prior authorization burden?

Many dermatology practices are outsourcing prior authorizations to specialized services that manage the full workflow — from initial submission and follow-up to denial management, appeals, and biologic coordination.

Prior Auth Crisis in Dermatology

Dermatology offices are quietly drowning in administrative work — and a huge part of it is prior authorizations.

It has become such a normal part of the day that most practices barely stop to question it anymore. A provider sees a patient with severe psoriasis, eczema, acne, or hidradenitis suppurativa, prescribes the medication they know will help, and almost immediately the focus shifts from medicine to insurance.

Dermatology Is Getting Hit Especially Hard

The specialty has evolved so quickly over the last decade. There are more advanced treatment options than ever before, especially with biologics and newer targeted therapies. While that has been incredible for patient care, it has also created a perfect storm administratively.

What makes it even more frustrating is how unpredictable the process has become. A medication that was covered last month suddenly needs a new authorization. Patients stable on therapy for years are unexpectedly denied.

The Real Cost: Patient Care vs. Paperwork

The bigger issue is that this workload pulls everyone away from actual patient care. Medical assistants, nurses, and providers are increasingly buried in administrative tasks. In many dermatology offices, prior authorizations alone have become a full-time responsibility.

It creates a cycle where offices are constantly reacting instead of operating efficiently.

Is This Sustainable?

A lot of practices are reaching the point where they are asking whether this is even sustainable long term. Burnout among healthcare workers is already high, and administrative overload only adds to it.

That is why more dermatology practices are starting to rethink how prior authorizations are handled altogether. Some are outsourcing the process entirely — just to relieve pressure from in-house staff and improve turnaround times.

At Visional, we built our Preauthorization Services division specifically to address this problem — led by Emily Hornak, PA-C, a Physician Assistant with 6+ years of clinical dermatology experience. If your practice is ready to take prior authorizations off your team's plate entirely, we would love to talk.

Why Prior Authorizations Have Become Dermatology's Biggest Operational Crisis