UnitedHealthcare to Eliminate Prior Authorizations for 30% of Services

On May 5, UnitedHealthcare announced plans to remove prior-authorization requirements for 30% of healthcare services. This initiative aims to alleviate administrative burdens and enhance patient care access. The Minnesota-based insurance carrier is taking significant steps alongside other major insurers to scale back on reviewing service requests before medical billing.

By the end of 2026, UnitedHealthcare plans to eliminate prior authorizations for specific outpatient procedures, diagnostic tests such as echocardiograms, therapies, and chiropractic services. Currently, these authorizations apply to about 2% of services covered under UnitedHealthcare plans, with 92% of requests being approved within one day. CEO Tim Noel emphasized that this measure would streamline processes, allowing healthcare providers more time for patient interaction.

In June, UnitedHealthcare joined other prominent insurers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, and Humana, committing to reducing the complexity of prior authorizations. Leaders such as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have acknowledged these voluntary commitments but noted potential regulatory compliance requirements if progress lags. These changes are set to impact 257 million individuals under private commercial insurance, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid managed care plans.