December is here and chaos showed up early.

At work, my days are filled with prior authorization renewals, insurance phone calls that somehow all sound the same, and the constant responsibility of making sure patients don’t miss the biologic therapies they rely on. As a biologic coordinator and dispensing technician, the job doesn’t end once something is “submitted.” It means follow-ups, appeals, peer-to-peers, and explaining “again” why a patient still needs the medication that’s already working.

At home, I’m a mom of two boys 18 and 12 & both growing faster than time itself. Between school, activities, endless laundry, and the constant hum of daily life, the days move fast.

And then there’s Christmas.

Here’s my honest confession:
I haven’t started Christmas shopping.
No lists. No hidden gifts.
No “I did this weeks ago” energy.

Christmas is right around the corner, and I’m over here handling biologic prior authorization renewals like it’s a seasonal sport.

When Prior Auths Take Over the Holidays

This time of year is especially intense in the biologic world. End-of-year renewals, insurance changes, expiring authorizations, and deductible resets all hit at once. Patients are anxious, pharmacies are calling, providers are signing forms, and coordinators are holding everything together—usually with determination and caffeine.

Somewhere between “urgent request” and “can you resend that fax,” time disappeared.

But while the chaos is real, so is the meaning behind it.

Every authorization approved means a patient stays on therapy. Every appeal pushed through means stability, relief, and fewer setbacks during the holidays. While my Christmas planning may be nonexistent, my workdays are full of purpose.

Finding Meaning in the Mess

This season reminded me that perfection isn’t the goal! presence is.

My boys won’t remember if I shopped early or wrapped gifts perfectly. They’ll remember the laughter, the late nights, the messy house, and a mom who showed up even when life felt overwhelming.

Just like our patients may never see the behind-the-scenes work, they feel the outcome: continuity of care and someone advocating for them when it matters most.

So, if you’re a biologic coordinator, pharmacy technician, or healthcare professional reading this and feeling behind, overwhelmed, or stretched thin! you’re not alone.

The holidays don’t have to be perfect.

They just have to be real.

And if all else fails… there’s always last-minute shopping and expedited shipping.

Here’s to the chaos, the compassion, and the coordinators holding it all together
one prior authorization at a time. CHEERS!!!

My brother helped me put this together and his name is CHATGPT!