Lifestyle

Healthcare Leader Avantika Sharma Reveals How Digital Tech Solutions Can Improve Prior Authorization Procedures

Published

3 years ago

January 25, 2023

One of the most necessary and standard procedures in the healthcare industry is Prior Authorization (PA), which requires healthcare providers to obtain approval for a treatment or medication before delivering it to a patient. Unfortunately, PA is also one of the most inefficient processes in the healthcare industry and is currently facing a crisis.

This year, 70% of medical groups attested that PA claims increased, yet, at the same time, a study by the University of Colorado found that 93% of providers reported delays in care due to drawn-out PA processes. In short, claims are increasing, and one of the side effects is that delays are becoming more notable, if not longer. This is due to long-standing inefficiencies and problems swept under the rug for years, resulting in longer patient waiting times, increased burden on administrative staff, and even physician and clinician burnout.

At Brillio One Health, Healthcare Leader Avantika Sharma and her team are working towards streamlining and optimizing healthcare systems like PA to benefit healthcare providers, insurance payers, and, of course, patients. They work with international healthcare organizations to “covert digital disruptions into solutions that can position payers and providers ahead of the curve.”

She views the current workflow required to obtain PA for a procedure or treatment to be an area that requires extensive digital reform. According to Sharma, “technologically automating the Prior Authorization process at the level of providers and payers can drastically improve the patient experience by getting on-time approvals before surgery and reducing operational and administrative costs.”

The PA process is currently plagued by administrative complexities, time-consuming manual procedures, liabilities due to human error, and excess use of valuable resources. To illustrate, most documents are faxed or emailed and require physical signatures, even though the digital resources to replace those aspects of the process are well established. Not to mention using manual technologies to transmit documents has already been proven to be more likely to lead to incorrect information, missing documents, and excessive back-and-forth communication.

All that communication is done by large teams of administrators, who spend considerable time sorting and verifying numerous documents from different sources. This puts a huge burden on hospitals and insurance companies to staff those teams accordingly. It also contributes to complexity and redundancy on an administrative level.

There are also confidentiality issues that come with using manual systems to complete PA claims. According to Sharma, “using fax to transmit prior authorization forms minimizes the legal requirement to keep medical information confidential since it involves the production of a printed piece of paper that can be easily seen or taken by anyone walking past the machine when it prints or someone’s desk where it is awaiting processing.”

Even more alarming is the lack of coordination between the systems used by payers and providers. Despite the amount of communication required between these two entities to get a single claim passed, the current systems can vary from one organization to another. For example, 15 different providers might use 15 different websites, each with unique software and login information.

Sharma believes that adopting digital solutions on the part of providers and payers could result in major improvements in the PA process. Brillio’s human-centric approach includes the design and implementation of systems powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Natural Language Processing (NLP), among other technologies. These innovative systems are already present in our daily lives but can be combined to create efficient, constantly evolving solutions that benefit the healthcare industry.

Proposed solutions would certainly include the creation of standard systems for communication between payers and providers. An example of this is online portals and digital software that is standardized across all platforms. Optimizing this software would allow relevant personnel from both the medical and the insurance side to use their secure username and password to access the same PA documents, at different stages of the process. Other solutions might be using NLP to convert doctors’ notes into text compatible with online forms or using AI to develop approval processes for documents, thereby cutting down on the administrative staff needed to verify every signature or document in a PA claim file. Using electronic signatures, electronic health records (EHR), and opting for digital file sending are all essential solutions as well.

These solutions would be one piece in a larger movement that could radically change the healthcare industry in the United States. One rule introduced in early December 2022 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services included the implementation of electronic PA processes for document attachments and signatures. It also included the required adoption of a Health Level 7 (HL7) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources FHIR standard Application Programming Interface to support new digital systems. CMS predicted that implementing better digital systems, alongside other proposed solutions, for PA could save more than $15 billion over 10 years.

Most importantly, Sharma highlights the importance of putting the patient first. Lengthy PA processes can take days, if not weeks, to go through, and only a tiny fraction of them are approved without delays. Most PA claims are denied at the outset and require appeals and negotiation. A patient-centric healthcare system focuses on making sure sick people are given the care they need, when they need it, without waiting for their doctors and insurance providers to jump through hoops.

For more information, visit www.brillioonehealth.com.

Lifestyle

Alabama Car Accident Lawyer: Protecting Your Rights After a Crash

Published

2 days ago

January 13, 2026

Michelle Langton

Car accidents can cause serious injuries, extensive property damage, and long-term financial strain. In the aftermath of a collision, victims often face mounting medical bills, missed time from work, and ongoing physical pain. Navigating insurance claims and legal processes on your own can be overwhelming, especially while trying to recover. Hiring an Alabama car accident lawyer ensures that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

An experienced Alabama car accident lawyer acts as your advocate, handling complex legal matters while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life after a crash.

Why You Need an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts, even when the accident was clearly not your fault. Adjusters may pressure victims into giving recorded statements, accepting quick settlements, or downplaying injuries. An experienced Alabama car accident lawyer understands the tactics insurers use and can negotiate aggressively on your behalf.

With in-depth knowledge of Alabama traffic laws, liability rules, and personal injury regulations, your lawyer can manage the legal complexities of your case. This includes identifying responsible parties, calculating damages accurately, and ensuring all paperwork is filed correctly and on time. Having an Alabama car accident lawyer on your side helps level the playing field and prevents costly mistakes.

Understanding Alabama’s Fault and Negligence Laws

Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which can have a major impact on car accident claims. Under this law, if an injured person is found to be even 1% at fault for an accident, they may be barred from recovering compensation entirely. Insurance companies frequently use this rule to deny or dispute claims.

An experienced Alabama car accident lawyer knows how to counter these arguments by gathering strong evidence, challenging unfair fault determinations, and presenting a clear narrative of liability. Understanding how Alabama courts interpret contributory negligence is essential, and your lawyer will build a strategy designed to protect your right to compensation.

Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, some of which may not be immediately apparent. Common injuries include:

Whiplash and neck injuries
Back and spinal injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Broken bones and fractures
Soft tissue injuries

An Alabama car accident lawyer ensures that all injuries are properly documented, including emergency treatment, follow-up care, rehabilitation, and long-term medical needs. Accurate documentation is crucial for demonstrating the true impact of the accident and pursuing maximum compensation.

How an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Hiring a skilled Alabama car accident lawyer provides support at every stage of the legal process:

Case Evaluation – Reviewing police reports, witness statements, medical records, and vehicle damage to assess the strength and value of your case.

Evidence Collection – Gathering photographs, accident scene documentation, surveillance footage, and repair estimates to build a compelling claim.

Negotiation With Insurance Companies – Advocating for fair compensation and preventing insurers from undervaluing, delaying, or denying your claim.

Litigation – Representing you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached, ensuring that your case is presented effectively before a judge or jury.

Having an Alabama car accident lawyer manage these steps allows you to focus on recovery while your attorney handles the legal and procedural challenges.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Car Accident

An Alabama car accident lawyer will evaluate all damages related to your crash to ensure nothing is overlooked. Compensation may include:

Medical expenses, both current and future
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and mental anguish
Costs of ongoing treatment or rehabilitation

In more serious cases, compensation may also address permanent disability or diminished quality of life. By working with an Alabama car accident lawyer, you gain an advocate who understands how to calculate both economic and non-economic damages accurately, ensuring any settlement or verdict reflects the full impact of the accident.

Benefits of Hiring an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

Working with an Alabama car accident lawyer provides several key benefits:

Maximized Compensation – Ensuring all damages are properly calculated and pursued
Expert Legal Guidance – Navigating Alabama laws, statutes of limitations, and insurance requirements
Peace of Mind – Reducing stress by allowing your lawyer to handle communications and negotiations
Stronger Case – Strategic legal representation and thorough evidence collection improve outcomes

Many Alabama car accident lawyers also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay legal fees unless compensation is recovered.

When to Contact an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

It’s important to contact an Alabama car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. Early legal consultation helps preserve critical evidence, accurately document injuries, and ensure compliance with filing deadlines. Prompt action can significantly impact the success of your case and the amount of compensation you receive.

Tips for Working With Your Lawyer

To make the most of your relationship with an Alabama car accident lawyer, consider these tips:

Keep detailed records of medical treatments, bills, and insurance communications
Take photographs of injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident scene
Be honest and thorough when describing how the accident occurred
Follow medical advice and maintain documentation of your recovery

These steps allow your Alabama car accident lawyer to build a strong, well-supported case on your behalf.

Final Thoughts

Car accidents can have serious and lasting consequences, both physically and financially. Consulting an Alabama car accident lawyer is essential to protect your rights, navigate the legal system, and pursue the compensation you deserve. From investigating the crash and negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court if necessary, an Alabama car accident lawyer provides the experience, advocacy, and support needed to move forward after a serious accident.