Season 14 • Episode 1087

Prescription Denials Are on the Rise

Aug 5, 2026

17:33

Episode Description

About this episode:

If you've ever been prescribed a new medication from your doctor only to be told by the pharmacy that your insurance won't cover it, you're not alone. In fact, new research shows that denials and requirements for prior authorizations are happening more frequently and that, in half of these cases, patients are subsequently forgoing their prescriptions. In this episode: Joseph Levy, lead author of the study, explains why this is the case and discusses the tradeoffs between controlling drug spending and ensuring access to necessary treatments.

Guest:

Joseph Levy, PhD, is a health economist and assistant professor in Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Host:

Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.

Show links and related content:

Insurance Denials for Brand-Name Prescription Drugs Rose Sharply From 2018 to 2024—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Insurance deny your prescription? You're far from alone, Hopkins study finds—The Baltimore Banner

Transcript information:

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