UnitedHealthcare Drops Prior Authorization for 30% of Medical Services

UnitedHealthcare announced Tuesday that it is eliminating prior authorization requirements for 30% of medical services that previously needed insurer approval. The policy change aims to cut red tape and speed patient access to care.

The decision follows growing pressure on health insurers to limit prior authorizations. In this process, doctors and hospitals seek approval from patients' insurance carriers before providing care.

Prior authorizations have faced criticism for the time they demand from physicians' offices and for delaying patient care. The American Medical Association reports that such offices spend an average of 12 hours per week obtaining insurer approval for treatments.

Critics argue those hours would serve patients better if used for direct medical care. Some patients say insurers have denied them treatment.

UnitedHealthcare, the largest U.S. health insurer, stated that prior authorization applies to 2% of services under its policies. The company said 92% of those requests receive approval within 24 hours.

"Prior authorization is an essential safeguard but should only be used when it truly protects patients and improves care," CEO Tim Noel said in a statement. "Eliminating these requirements is one more way we are working to make it easier for patients to get the care they need when they need it and ensure doctors can spend more time with their patients."

The company did not link the announcement to the December 2024 shooting death of former UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson. Suspect Luigi Mangione awaits trial in federal and state court.

UnitedHealthcare specified that the following will no longer require prior authorization: select outpatient surgeries, some diagnostic tests such as echocardiograms, some outpatient therapies and chiropractic care.

It plans to post the full list at UHCProvider.com before the changes take effect by the end of 2026.

Other insurers took similar steps last year. A group represented by trade association AHIP said major members, including many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of California, plus Humana, Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealthcare, would streamline prior authorizations.