Which of the following is NOT a purpose of prior authorization?

Prior authorization serves several important purposes in the healthcare system, primarily focused on ensuring that medical services provided to patients are medically necessary, appropriate, and cost-effective. While enabling patient privacy is a significant aspect of healthcare, it is not a primary purpose of prior authorization.

Enhancing patient privacy primarily relates to safeguarding personal health information according to regulations like HIPAA, rather than the prior authorization process. In contrast, prior authorization is critical for verifying the necessity of a service, which helps prevent unnecessary treatments and procedures. This process also aims to reduce unauthorized or fraudulent procedures, protecting both patients and insurers. Lastly, controlling healthcare service costs is a key reason for implementing prior authorization, as it allows insurers to manage and limit expenses associated with care that may not be deemed necessary.

Thus, the reason that enhancing patient privacy is not considered a purpose of prior authorization lies in the distinct roles that patient privacy and cost management play in the broader healthcare framework.