Mounting administrative burden, clinician burnout, and regulatory pressure are forcing a rethink of prior authorization. Providers are investing in automation, data integration, and collective advocacy to push back on delays that impede care. In a Cohere Health survey conducted in October 2025, 99% of clinicians indicated trust in AI-driven prior auth. Further, major insurers including, Aetna, Cigna, and BCBS have pledged to streamline prior auth, reducing hurdles. Whether this leads to true reform—or simply a more digital version of the same friction—remains an open question.