When transparency advocates complained about the Freedom of Information exemption for the Partnership for Connecticut, we were told to wait for smoke before yelling “fire.” Well, now we have smoke billowing from the kitchen. 

One of the proudest accomplishments of my profession, ophthalmology, is the reduction in blindness from glaucoma. Decades ago, it was common to hear “Uncle John went blind from glaucoma.” Now such tragedies are rare. But now the insurance companies are refusing to pay for the most effective glaucoma medicines while increasing the patients’ deductibles. The result will be that more patients go blind.

Prior authorization (PA) is a term most of us have heard before ―medical professionals and patients alike. We associate it with going to the pharmacy, finding that not only is our medication not ready for pick-up, it cannot be filled yet due to PA. PA generates feelings of confusion and anxiety, but it is also responsible for creating an enormous patient care burden. I am a registered nurse, employed as a supervisor, overseeing nurses. I am also an advanced practice nursing student, learning how to diagnosis and prescribe medications. I face the insane semantics of PA as both a healthcare professional and a patient.

A response to the CT Viewpoints op-ed Treating ‘chronic Lyme disease:’ Is it medical fraud? By Lawrence Zemel MD and Paul G. Auwaerter MD, Dec 13, 2019.