Insurance prior authorization requirements create substantial treatment delays across six major neurological conditions including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, migraine, cerebrovascular disease, and epilepsy. This comprehensive analysis of 364 studies reveals systematic barriers that particularly impact time-sensitive neurological care where delayed intervention can accelerate disease progression.
These findings underscore a critical healthcare access issue that extends beyond cost containment. Neurological conditions often involve progressive pathology where early intervention can preserve function and slow decline. Unlike many medical specialties where treatment delays may be inconvenient, neurological care frequently operates within narrow therapeutic windows. The research highlights how administrative barriers can inadvertently compromise long-term patient outcomes by preventing timely access to disease-modifying therapies. This represents a significant policy challenge as healthcare systems attempt to balance cost control with optimal clinical care. The scope of this analysis suggests these barriers are widespread rather than isolated incidents, indicating systemic issues that may require policy-level solutions to ensure patients receive appropriate neurological treatments without harmful delays.