In this episode of CJN Network, Dr. Cambria examines one of the most common frustrations patients and clinicians face in modern healthcare: insurance denials.
Most people assume that medical decisions are made entirely by their physician. But in today’s healthcare system, many treatments, medications, imaging studies, and procedures require prior authorization before they can be performed.
So who actually decides what care a patient is allowed to receive?
This episode breaks down how prior authorization works, how insurers define “medical necessity,” and why coverage decisions often differ from a physician’s clinical recommendation. Dr. Cambria also explains the appeals process, the role documentation plays in approval decisions, and how insurance policies shape access to treatment across the healthcare system.
Topics covered in this episode include:
• What prior authorization actually is
• How insurers determine medical necessity
• Why treatment requests are denied
• How internal and external appeals work
• The role documentation plays in insurance approval
• How system incentives influence healthcare decisions
• Why disputes over coverage are often contract issues rather than malpractice cases
Understanding how insurance decisions are made is essential for patients, clinicians, and policymakers who want to improve accountability and access to care within the healthcare system.
For more long-form analysis and the full CJN Network archive, visit www.cjnnetwork.com.
Educational content only. This discussion does not constitute medical or legal advice.