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Is There a Way for Providers to Fight Back Against Care Denials and Burnout?

It started with a 17-year-old girl named Nataline. Diagnosed with leukemia, her doctors determined she needed a liver transplant to survive. Her family pleaded, her doctors pressed. But the insurance company denied the procedure, claiming it wasn’t “medically necessary”—a stark example of the consequences of reducing insurance denials and administrative burdens. Only after national outrage did the insurance company reverse their decision, but by then, it was too late. Nataline Sarkisyan died hours after the approval came through.

For Wendell Potter, then a communications executive at Cigna, this was the breaking point. He had spent years spinning press around these denials, but Nataline’s death shook him. He walked away—and began speaking out.

But the system he left behind is still intact.

Doctor Dialogue: Facing the Wall

Dr. Smith leaned against the breakroom counter, the overhead fluorescents flickering with that persistent buzz. “We had to cancel another procedure today,” she sighed. “Insurance denied pre-approval again. Stage II breast cancer. Time-sensitive.”

Dr. Joe nodded, his expression worn but resolute. “It never gets easier. They call it cost-containment. We call it life-threatening delays.”

Dr. Smith looked defeated. “I’m tired of fighting insurance companies more than I fight illness. And now, admin’s talking about cutting my nurse again to balance costs.”

Dr. Joe gestured toward his tablet. “That’s why I moved some of my staffing offshore with Staffingly. I couldn’t keep losing hours on hold or fighting over CPT codes. Now, I have a remote team managing pre-authorizations, billing, even intake. It gave me room to breathe—and treat.”

Industry Insight: Denial as a Business Model

It’s not just one story. Former executives like Potter and others are revealing a disturbing truth: denial is built into the business model.

• According to the KFF Health System Tracker, one in five prior authorization requests is denied by insurers—and most are never appealed.
• A 2022 AMA survey found that 93% of physicians reported care delays due to prior authorizations. 24% said the delays led to serious adverse events for patients.
• The most chilling? Some insurers reportedly automate these denials using algorithms—with little or no physician review.

And while patients suffer delays or denials, former execs recount perks like four-course lunches and champagne during board meetings—while the frontline burned.

Staffingly’s Solutions: Giving Control Back to Clinics

For overburdened providers, part of the problem is structural. But another part is staffing—and this is where Staffingly steps in.

Staffingly helps clinics and doctors build remote medical staffing teams that are:

• HIPAA-compliant
• Highly trained in billing, coding, and insurance workflows
• Integrated seamlessly with your EHR and practice tools

Imagine this: instead of spending two hours chasing a denial, your remote billing specialist at Staffingly handles it. Need prior auths submitted? Intake forms verified? A virtual assistant preps it all while you see patients.

Doctors like Dr. Joe have cut administrative workloads by up to 60%, giving them back time to focus on what matters: patient care.

Cost-Saving Benefits: 70% Less, 100% Impact

Let’s talk numbers.

By moving critical non-clinical roles offshore with Staffingly:

• Clinics save up to 70% in staffing costs compared to local hires.
• Burnout from admin overload is reduced dramatically.
• Practices regain efficiency, with workflows streamlined across the board.

Staffingly isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about reclaiming capacity, protecting care, and resisting a broken system that puts profits over people.

What Did We Learn?

Doctors can’t always change the insurance system. But they can choose how much power it has over their day-to-day.

When stories like Nataline’s still echo through exam rooms, and insurance companies continue to “execute hostages” by dropping critical doctors from networks—providers must reclaim some control.

Staffingly offers that chance: not just to save money, but to save time, sanity, and maybe even lives.

FAQs

1. Why are insurance companies denying care?

Insurance companies often deny care to reduce costs, putting profits over patients’ health.

2. How do these denials affect healthcare providers?

Doctors spend more time on administrative tasks, leading to burnout and less time with patients.

3. How can doctors reduce administrative burdens?

Outsourcing tasks like billing and pre-authorizations to remote teams, such as Staffingly, can save time and reduce stress.

4. How does Staffingly help?

Staffingly provides remote, HIPAA-compliant staff to handle admin tasks, reducing costs by up to 70% and improving focus on patient care.

5. Is outsourcing safe?

Yes, Staffingly ensures all work complies with HIPAA and integrates securely with your systems.

Disclaimer

For informational purposes only; not applicable to specific situations.

For tailored support and professional services,

please contact Staffingly, Inc. at (800) 489-5877

Email : support@staffingly.com.

About This Blog : This Blog is brought to you by Staffingly, Inc., a trusted name in healthcare outsourcing. The team of skilled healthcare specialists and content creators is dedicated to improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. The team passionate about sharing knowledge through insightful articles, blogs, and other educational resources.