UnitedHealthcare was found to be the most error-free of all health insurers measured, with an accuracy rate of 98.3 percent. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, meanwhile, had 2011’s lowest score — 61 percent — but that figure jumped in 2012 to 88.6 percent.
The findings were published in the AMA’s fifth annual National Health Insurer Report Card.
Wah called for a more streamlined billings process across the healthcare system in order to reduce the burden on doctors.
“The costly administrative burdens of the prior authorization process can complicate medical decisions and delay or interrupt patient care,” he said.
“The AMA calls for replacing the largely manual process with an automated decision support system that will enhance patient care and reduce paperwork costs.”