When βPrior Authorizationβ Becomes a Medical Roadblock NYT: Science By: Paula Span 25 May 2024 at 05:03 Medicare Advantage plans say it reduces waste and inappropriate care. Critics say it often restricts coverage unnecessarily. Β© Caroline Yang for The New York TimesMarlene Nathanson, right, with her husband, was abruptly refused a request to cover further treatment from her Medicare Advantage plan as she recovered from a stroke. βShe has to leave our facility by Friday,β a therapist told her.