HIMSS24 shows 49% rise in prior authorization

According to data from health information network Surescripts, the healthcare industry has seen significant progress in health data exchange and interoperability. By the end of 2023, approximately 1.29 million prescribers were using e-prescribing, marking an almost 5% increase from 2022. Moreover, 83.2% of these clinicians were also equipped for electronic prescribing for controlled substances (EPCS).
In 2023, nearly all pharmacies were equipped for both e-prescribing and electronic prescribing for controlled substances (EPCS). Surescripts handled 2.5 billion electronic prescriptions, with 21 million dedicated to specialty medications, marking a 5% rise from the previous year. The data is derived from the Surescripts Network Alliance, encompassing electronic health records vendors, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacies, clinicians, health plans, long-term and post-acute care organizations, analytics vendors, and specialty pharmacy organizations. Surescripts connected 2.14 million healthcare professionals and provider organizations, conducting 23.8 billion network transactions in 2023, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional faxes and phone calls. The company’s unique ownership structure involves contributions from the National Community Pharmacies Association, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Express Scripts, and CVS Caremark.