The Texas Office of the Attorney General opened an investigation Monday into Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, citing reports that the insurer may have delayed or denied coverage for urgent and medically necessary procedures. The office said it is examining whether the company’s prior-authorization requirements are excessively burdensome and whether it adequately reviews claims. The investigation concerns potential violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act; no finding of wrongdoing has been announced. Prior authorization requires a health insurer to approve certain treatments or medications before a provider can deliver them. Insurers use the process to manage costs, but delays can postpone care. The attorney general’s office warned that waiting for approval could worsen a patient’s condition, raise the risk of complications, allow disease to progress, or result in disability or death. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas declined to comment on the investigation. In April, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said it had reduced the number of services requiring prior authorization by 11%. Association CEO Kim Keck said the organization would work toward handling 80% of electronic authorization requests in real time, and called for policymakers, insurers and providers to modernize health care processes. The Texas investigation will determine whether the insurer’s review practices meet state law requirements. The attorney general’s office has not announced a timeline for its inquiry.