Vanderbilt pulmonologist urges action as clinicians face TennCare prior-authorization barriers for pediatric biologics

Dr. Christian Rosa Salazar, a pediatric pulmonologist and co-director of the severe asthma clinic at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, told the webinar that treating children with severe or refractory asthma has grown more difficult because newly approved biologic therapies face frequent TennCare prior-authorization denials.

"We get rejected almost all the time," Dr. Salazar said, describing repeated prior-authorization barriers and noting that TennCare sometimes lists preferred medications that are not approved for children or are intended for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Salazar said Tennessee ranks among states with high asthma prevalence and morbidity and urged the group to pursue dialogue with TennCare leadership or other appropriate state decision-makers to improve access to indicated pediatric treatments. He suggested the webinar series could host a deeper conversation with clinical and TennCare representatives to examine authorization policies and potential remedies.

Meeting hosts thanked Salazar and said the platform could accommodate a future, more focused session involving clinicians and TennCare representatives.