Doctor charging $35 for Prior Auths

Just moved into the Orlando area; there’s a huge shortage of PCPs here. Finally found one that is taking new patients, but when they sent over the paperwork, one of the documents I was required to sign was a statement that I understood that each prior authorization is $35, it is not billed through insurance, and will be billed to the patient.

My insurance is Florida Blue BlueOptions. I called them and the rep said they have never heard of this.

While I understand that Prior Auths take a lot of time and expertise, this rubs me the wrong way and I feel like this could get out of hand quickly. I have multiple conditions that need to be managed and my doctors & I often have to go back and forth with insurance.

For example, last week Walgreens kicked back a prescription that I have been on for 5+ years and required the doctor to do another prior auth. If my PCP had been the one to prescribe it (it wasn’t, it was a specialist) they would have charged me $35 !

Am I crazy for thinking this is a little weird ?