Your Healthcare, Our Commitment: Understanding Prior Authorization at Clever Care

At Clever Care, we believe you deserve to know exactly how we’re working for you behind the scenes. When your doctor recommends a specific treatment or medication, sometimes we need to review it first through a process called “prior authorization.” Think of it as our way of making sure you’re getting the right care at the right time while keeping your costs manageable.

We know that waiting for approval can feel stressful when your health is on the line. That’s why we’re committed to making this process as smooth and transparent as possible. Below, you’ll find detailed information about how we’ve handled prior authorization requests from our Clever Care family over the past year.

What These Numbers Mean for You

Prior authorization is simply when we review a treatment or medication before you receive it to ensure it’s medically necessary and covered under your plan. We handle two types of requests:

  • Standard requests: Regular reviews that typically take a few days
  • Expedited requests: Urgent reviews when you need care quickly

The data below shows our commitment to saying “yes” to your healthcare needs whenever possible. You’ll see that we approve the vast majority of requests quickly, and when we can’t approve something initially, we provide a clear path for you and your doctor to appeal that decision.

We’re proud to share these numbers because they reflect our promise to you: we’re here to support your health journey, not create barriers to the care you need.

Percentage of Standard Prior Authorization requests that were approved

 

Total Standard Requests 

209,023

Approved Standard Requests

206,865

Approval Percentage

98.97%

 

 

Percentage of Standard Prior Authorization requests that were denied

 

Total Standard Requests

209,023

Denied Standard Requests

2,158

Denial Percentage

1.03%

 

 

Percentage of Standard Prior Authorization requests that were approved after appeal

 

Total Overturned

340

Denied Standard Requests

2,158

Approved after denial percentage

15.75%

 

 

Percentage of Prior Authorization requests where the timeframe for review was extended

 

Number of extended Prior Authorizations

0%

 

 

Percentage of Expedited Prior Authorization requests that were approved

 

Total Expedited Requests

21,237

Approved Expedited Requests

20,898

Approval Percentage

98.40%

 

 

Percentage of Expedited Prior Authorization requests that were denied

 

Total Expedited Requests

21,237

Denied Expedited Requests

339

Denial Percentage

1.60%

 

 

The average and median time that elapsed between the submission of a request and a determination by Clever Care Health Plan for standard prior authorizations

 

Total Standard Requests

209,023

Average Turn Around Time

2.78 days

Median Turn Around Time

1 day

 

 

The average and median time that elapsed between the submission of a request and a determination by Clever Care Health Plan for expedited prior authorizations

 

Total Standard Requests

21,237

Average Turn Around Time

1.16 days

Median Turn Around Time

1 day

For a list of procedures and services that require prior authorization, click here.