UnitedHealthcare Eliminates Prior Authorization for Thousands of Medical Services

Major Policy Shift Targets Healthcare Red Tape

UnitedHealthcare, the nation's largest health insurer, announced Tuesday it will eliminate authorization requirements for 30% of healthcare services that previously required insurer approval . The sweeping change, set to take effect by the end of 2026, represents one of the most significant reforms to the controversial prior authorization system in recent years.

By the end of 2026, UnitedHealthcare will eliminate an additional 30% of remaining prior authorizations, including select outpatient surgeries, some diagnostic tests like echocardiograms, and certain outpatient therapies and chiropractic care . "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" , said Tim Noel, CEO of UnitedHealthcare.

Addressing Widespread Physician Frustration

The move comes in response to mounting criticism from healthcare providers who say prior authorizations create unnecessary delays and administrative burdens. In 2024, more than 9 in 10 physicians (93%) reported care delays while waiting for insurers to authorize necessary treatment, according to a survey by the American Medical Association . The American Medical Association finding that such offices spend an average of 12 hours per week seeking insurer approval for medical treatments .

Prior authorization requires healthcare providers to obtain approval from insurance companies before delivering certain treatments or services to patients. Critics say those hours would be better spent providing medical care, while some patients report being denied treatment by their insurance companies . The process has long been criticized for creating barriers between patients and necessary care.

Current State and Industry Context

UnitedHealthcare currently maintains that prior authorization is required for only 2% of its medical services , with around 92% of submitted requests approved in less than 24 hours . The company also claims it has fewer prior authorization requirements than any other insurer within Medicare Advantage .

This announcement follows broader industry pressure for reform. The development comes after the Trump administration pressured the health industry to reform prior authorization and is particularly notable because UnitedHealthcare is the United States's largest health insurer . In June, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, Humana, and other insurers joined Trump administration health officials to announce they would cut down and streamline the use of prior authorizations .

Looking Ahead

The changes represent part of a larger transformation in how health insurers approach administrative requirements. In April, AHIP said payers were adopting a standardized approach for electronic prior authorization requests. This approach will be used for medical services that are commonly subject to prior authorization, such as orthopedic surgeries and imaging services, including CT scans and MRIs .

For patients and providers, these reforms could mean faster access to care and reduced administrative overhead. The success of UnitedHealthcare's initiative may influence other major insurers to implement similar changes, potentially reshaping how prior authorization is used across the healthcare industry. A full list will be available on UHCProvider.com before these changes take effect , giving healthcare providers time to adjust their processes accordingly.