Patient Resources
Prior Authorizations & Medication Access
Why some skin medications need insurance approval, and how we help you get them faster.
If your dermatologist prescribes a medication, your insurance may require a prior authorization, an extra review before it agrees to pay. It is a common, frustrating obstacle in modern care, and it does not mean anything is wrong with your prescription. This page gives you the quick version and the steps that help. For the full, in-depth guide, see our detailed article in the Health Library.
What is a prior authorization?
A prior authorization is an insurance requirement. It means your insurance company wants extra information before it decides whether it will pay for the medication your clinician prescribed. It can delay treatment even when the prescription is medically appropriate.
The three types of prescriptions
Generic medications
Often solvable faster. Compare cash prices, check GoodRx, try another pharmacy, or ask whether a compounding pharmacy is appropriate.
Newer branded topicals
Expect a prior authorization. If you have commercial insurance, a manufacturer copay card may dramatically lower your cost.
Systemic medications, biologics and pills
Usually the longest road. These may involve enrollment forms, specialty pharmacies, appeals, copay cards, and sometimes free bridge programs.
What we do vs. what you do
Our office handles
- Sending the prescription
- Submitting prior authorizations
- Providing diagnosis codes and chart notes
- Documenting prior treatment failures
- Completing prescriber sections of enrollment forms
- Submitting appeals when medically appropriate
Only you can do
- Answer pharmacy calls and texts
- Sign enrollment forms that require your consent
- Activate your copay card
- Give copay card numbers to the pharmacy
- Confirm shipping and delivery
- Tell us if your insurance changes
Copay cards in 4 steps
Confirm you have commercial, private insurance. Copay cards usually do not apply to Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or TRICARE.
Find your medication's official savings program using our medication directory.
Enroll and get your card information, including ID, BIN, PCN, and Group numbers.
Give the card numbers to your pharmacy and ask them to apply it.
Find your medication
Find your specific medication and link straight to its official manufacturer support program for copay cards and patient assistance.
If your medication is denied
A denial is frustrating, but it is often not the end. Options may include a covered alternative, an appeal, a manufacturer copay card, a bridge program, or patient assistance. Contact us and tell us exactly where the process is stuck.
Stuck on a medication? We can help you find the path forward.
Serving Wasilla, Palmer, Anchorage, Juneau & the Mat-Su Valley.
This page is general education, not medical or insurance advice. Insurance rules and manufacturer programs vary and change. Confirm specifics with your pharmacy, insurer, and the manufacturer's official program.