Prior authorization and concurrent review processes depend on clear ownership and timely action. When teams are short, authorizations can be missed, delayed, or escalated too late to prevent downstream revenue issues.
Leaders should identify which roles carry the greatest authorization risk, including patient access, utilization review, case management, and payer follow-up. Those functions should have backup coverage plans before volume spikes or vacancies create a backlog.
A practical staffing plan connects authorization tasks to deadlines, escalation paths, and daily work queues. When coverage is aligned to those realities, hospitals can better protect cash flow while reducing stress on clinical and administrative teams.