UnitedHealthcare to cut prior authorization for 30% of treatments

Published: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 2:51 pm

UnitedHealthcare Streamlines Care Access, Eliminating Prior Authorization for Some Treatments

UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the United States, announced a significant policy shift this week, aiming to streamline patient care and reduce administrative burdens for healthcare providers. The company plans to eliminate prior authorization requirements for 30% of medical services, a move that could expedite access to care for patients.

Prior authorization, the process where healthcare providers must obtain approval from insurance companies before delivering certain treatments, has long been a source of contention within the medical community. Critics argue that the process consumes valuable time for physicians and can delay or even deny necessary care for patients. The American Medical Association estimates that physician offices spend an average of 12 hours per week navigating prior authorization procedures.

UnitedHealthcare's decision comes amid growing pressure on the health insurance industry to reform prior authorization practices. The company stated that prior authorization is currently required for only 2% of the medical services it covers, with approximately 92% of those requests being approved within 24 hours.

The specific procedures that will no longer require prior authorization include select outpatient surgeries, certain diagnostic tests like echocardiograms, some outpatient therapies, and some chiropractic care. UnitedHealthcare plans to publish a comprehensive list of affected services on its website, UHCProvider.com, before the changes are fully implemented by the end of 2026.

This move aligns with broader industry trends. Last year, the Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), a trade association representing the health insurance industry, announced that several of its major members, including Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers, Humana, and Kaiser Permanente, would take steps to streamline their own prior authorization processes.

BNN's Perspective:

While UnitedHealthcare's initiative to reduce prior authorization requirements is a positive step towards improving patient care and easing administrative burdens, it's crucial to monitor the long-term impact of these changes. Striking a balance between ensuring appropriate care and minimizing unnecessary administrative hurdles is essential. The industry-wide trend towards streamlining these processes suggests a growing recognition of the need for reform, and we hope to see continued progress in this area.

Keywords: UnitedHealthcare, prior authorization, healthcare, insurance, medical services, patient care, outpatient surgeries, diagnostic tests, outpatient therapies, chiropractic care, AHIP, health insurance industry, streamline, access to care

Full Story