COVID-19 Impact on Administrative Transactions

This issue brief examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on administrative transactions within the healthcare sector. It details the findings from the 2020 CAQH Index, which assessed changes in transaction volumes from January to May 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The report indicates that most administrative transactions saw a decline, with prior authorization experiencing the most significant drop at 27%. The brief outlines how federal and state policies aimed at reducing COVID-19 transmission led to decreased healthcare utilization, which in turn affected transaction volumes. It also discusses the rise of telemedicine as a response to the pandemic, which helped maintain some transaction stability, particularly in eligibility and benefit verification. The brief concludes by emphasizing the need for healthcare systems to adapt to these changes and improve interoperability to enhance care coordination. Overall, it highlights the ongoing challenges and potential long-term impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare administrative processes.