Insurance approval delays and a lack of options for care after leaving the hospital are the most significant factors delaying patient recovery
July 15, 2026 — The Florida Hospital Association (FHA) today announced its most recent findings from the Survey on Days Waiting for Discharge, demonstrating the magnitude and impact of discharge delays on patients in Florida’s hospitals. The report highlights more than 780,000 avoidable hospital days. Almost one out of every 10 patients had to wait to be discharged, and 41% of these patients were waiting for their health plan to authorize their follow up care, according to the data.
The consequences of these delays are significantly impacting patients’ recovery, access to appropriate care, exacerbating stress on the family, and causing bottlenecks in the emergency departments (ED) for patients needing an inpatient hospital bed. These delays also generate additional costs to the system, with estimated preventable healthcare spending totaling $2.5 billion in 2025.
“No one should be in a hospital any longer than is appropriate for their medical care needs. Patients deserve timely access to the next level of care or critical services and supports to aid in their recovery and healing.,” said Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of FHA. “Our data tells us that for many patients, they are delayed leaving the hospital because of a lack of timely insurance authorizations.
FHA surveyed FHA member hospitals on discharge delays between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Key findings from the Survey on Days Waiting for Discharge include:
- 243,000 patients who were medically cleared had to remain in the hospital due to delays beyond the hospital’s control.
- Delays in getting health plan prior authorization account for 41% of discharge delays.
- Almost half of the patients who were delayed were covered by a Medicare Advantage plan, and 52% of their delays were tied to prior authorization, with nearly 4,000 of these patients waiting more than a week for placement.
- These delays resulted in 781,000 unnecessary hospital days and $2.5 billion in preventable healthcare spending.
- 158,000 or 7.4% of ED patients waited more than 12 hours for a bed; causing a downstream effect on other patients.
- 41% of patients were waiting for a bed in a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility.
- Other factors affecting hospital discharge authorization include gaps in health plans’ provider networks.
“Floridians deserve timely access to care. By reducing discharge delays and freeing up hospital beds for other patients who need critical care, Florida’s health care delivery system can support patients’ swift recovery and optimal outcomes,” Mayhew added.
New OIG Audits on Medicare Advantage Plans Reinforce FHA Findings
In June, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG), released the findings of two investigations into prior authorization practices for Medicare Advantage plans. The studies identified widespread and concerning patterns in prior authorization practices, such as Medicare Advantage plans inappropriately denying or delaying approval for medically necessary post-acute care, creating barriers for patients transitioning out of hospitals.
According to the OIG, these denials can lead to:
- Unnecessary extensions of hospital stays
- Delayed access to rehabilitation or skilled nursing care
- Increased administrative burden on providers
“These federal findings validate what Florida hospitals experience every day,” said Mayhew.
Call to Action
FHA calls on policymakers, regulators and health plans to support policies that accelerate insurers’ prior authorization processes for post-hospital care, increase transparency and accountability in denial and appeal decisions, and address gaps in provider networks while also increasing access to post-acute care facilities. Find out more about what FHA is doing and how they are advocating on behalf of Florida hospitals here.
ABOUT FHA
Founded in 1927, the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) is the leading voice for health care in the State of Florida. Through representation and advocacy, education and informational services, the Florida Hospital Association supports the mission of over 260 hospitals and health care systems to provide the highest quality of care to the patients we serve. Led by President and CEO Mary Mayhew, the Florida Hospital Association is located in Tallahassee and is governed by a Board of Trustees and officers elected by the member institutions. To learn more, visit www.fha.org.
