The Hidden Hazards of Surgical Prior Auth

Prior authorization for surgical procedures continues to be one of the most frustrating and costly hurdles in the revenue cycle. In this episode, Bo Bowman and Stuart Newsome unpack the hidden hazards that routinely derail authorizations—before a procedure is even scheduled. Drawing on firsthand experience and fresh examples from real-world surgical workflows, they explore the most common pitfalls, including failure to prove medical necessity, inaccurate procedural coding, insufficient documentation, and timing missteps. They also touch on the role automation and AI can play in supporting human teams—helping to surface missing requirements, flag coding mismatches, and push authorizations forward before deadlines hit. Whether you’re on the clinical side, in operations, or supporting from RCM or technology, this session will give you a clearer path forward and arm you with the awareness needed to avoid denials, delays, and administrative fatigue.