UnitedHealth Group announced that it will eliminate prior‑authorization requirements for 30 % of the services it currently requires, a move that will streamline care delivery and reduce paperwork for patients and providers across its UnitedHealthcare plans.
The change applies to the remaining 2 % of services that still require prior authorization, of which 92 % are approved within 24 hours. By removing an additional 30 % of these remaining authorizations, UnitedHealthcare will reduce the administrative burden on its network while maintaining safeguards for the most complex cases.
The policy will take effect by the end of 2026, giving providers and patients a clear timeline for the transition and allowing UnitedHealthcare to align its systems and processes with the new requirements.
UnitedHealthcare’s decision comes amid broader industry pressure to limit prior authorizations. The American Medical Association reports that physicians spend an average of 12 hours per week seeking insurer approval, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized an Interoperability and Prior Authorization rule in January 2024 that mandates faster turnarounds. In April 2026, UnitedHealthcare announced expanded support for rural communities and a push to standardize electronic prior‑authorization submissions, with more than 70 % of authorizations expected to use the new process by year‑end 2026.
Tim Noel, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, said, "Prior authorization is an essential safeguard but should only be used when it truly protects patients and improves 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."
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