---
title: "What are we going to do?"
url: https://yourcarecantwait.org/professionals
description: "Archived professionals page of the Your Care Can't Wait campaign: the ISMS position on prior authorization, the 2019 physician survey findings, and the four campaign."
---

# What are we going to do?

The Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) is concerned that prior authorization (PA) is overused by health insurers and places unnecessary burdens on patients and physicians. We are working to change that. We are committed to bringing efficiency, fairness and transparency to prior authorization in Illinois.

## How are we going to do it?

Making prior authorization work for Illinois patients is going to require legislative action. The Illinois State Medical Society has identified several priorities we believe are critical to reforming prior authorization in Illinois, from streamlining the process and increasing transparency to ensuring that PA requirements are based on evidence-based criteria.

We are leading the charge, and will work with advocates representing physicians, other health professionals, and patients, to name a few. Our goal is to make prior authorization work for Illinois patients!

## How can I help?

There are four ways you can help fix prior authorization in Illinois:

1. **Tell us your story**. Send us an email at communications@isms.org to tell us how prior authorization affects your patients and you. As we work with elected officials and negotiate with other stakeholders, having real stories from real people is critically important to driving home the need for these reforms. Your name and other identifying information will be kept strictly confidential.
2. **Sign the petition below**. Every signature helps to show elected officials that there is overwhelming support for fixing prior authorization.
3. **Call your legislators**. Your elected officials will be hearing from us, but hearing from their constituents is vital as well. Urge them to support the Prior Authorization Reform Act ([H.B. 5510](http://ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=5510&GAID=15&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=126177&SessionID=108&GA=101) / [S.B. 3822](http://ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3822&GAID=15&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=125916&SessionID=108&GA=101)) and fix prior authorization for Illinois patients!
4. **Spread the word**. Tell your colleagues, friends, and family about this campaign, and encourage them to join you in taking these steps. Tell your patients who are affected by prior authorization that they can join in the fight as well!

The campaign’s petition, email action and ISMS membership invitation are closed. The wording is reproduced as it stood; this archive collects nothing and enrols no one.

## The survey

In early 2019, ISMS surveyed more than 1,000 Illinois physicians to assess concerns about PA and its overall impact on patient care. The results won’t surprise you:

- Almost half reported waiting an average of three business days or more for PA determinations.
- The vast majority expressed frustration about the cumbersome process, lack of standardization and transparency, and PA requirements that are not consistent with current clinical guidelines.
- Almost every physician surveyed (95%) believes that PA has a negative impact on patients.
- More than 90% believe the burden has gotten worse in the last five years.

The page invited readers to read the full survey report; that report was not preserved with these pages. Figures are quoted as published in 2019.

The page closed with a membership note: “If you’re a physician and are not currently a member of ISMS, join us today. ISMS is the only organization dedicated to helping every Illinois physician BE HEARD!” It is quoted as archived campaign copy; no membership is offered here.

## Coalition Members

The eighteen organisations below were listed as coalition members on this site in 2020. The list is reproduced as an historical record. No current affiliation, membership or endorsement is claimed by or for any of them.

- [Illinois State Medical Society](https://www.isms.org/)
- [Thresholds](https://www.thresholds.org/)
- [Arthritis Foundation](https://www.arthritis.org/)
- [Illinois Chapter of the American Association of Pediatrics](https://illinoisaap.org/)
- [Illinois Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists](https://www.acog.org/About-ACOG/ACOG-Sections/Illinois-Section)
- [Illinois Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons](https://www.ileyemd.org/)
- [Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing](https://www.isapn.org/)
- [American Nurses Association](https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/)
- [Illinois Association for Behavioral Health](http://www.ilabh.org/)
- [Illinois Academy of Family Physicians](https://www.iafp.com/)
- [American Cancer Society](https://www.fightcancer.org/)
- [Illinois College of Emergency Physicians](http://icep.org/)
- [Illinois Hospital Association](https://www.team-iha.org/)
- [American Association of Clinical Urologists](https://aacuweb.org/home.aspx)
- [Illinois Primary Health Care Association](https://www.iphca.org/)
- [Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists](https://isahq.org/)
- [Illinois Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons](https://www.ilortho.org/)
- [National Alliance on Mental Illness](https://www.nami.org/)