UnitedHealthcare announced Tuesday it will eliminate prior authorization requirements for roughly 30 percent of its medical services by the end of 2026, a move aimed at reducing administrative burdens and care delays that have long frustrated doctors and patients.
The insurer said it will drop the requirement for certain outpatient surgeries, diagnostic tests such as echocardiograms, and some outpatient therapies and chiropractic care. The full list of affected services will be published online before the changes take effect.
Physician Frustration Hits Boiling Point
Prior authorization—the process insurers use to approve treatments before they are administered—has become a flashpoint in healthcare. A 2024 survey by the American Medical Association found that 93 percent of physicians reported care delays while waiting for insurers to greenlight necessary treatments. The same survey estimated that doctors and their staff spend an average of 13 hours per week navigating prior authorization paperwork.
“This is a direct response to the overwhelming burden on clinicians,” said Dr. Susan Bailey, a former AMA president, in a statement. “Patients are waiting too long for care, and physicians are drowning in red tape.”
Industry Pressure Mounts
Tuesday’s announcement comes as major health insurers face mounting pressure to streamline the process. Last year, several insurers pledged to reform prior authorization, and UnitedHealthcare said that by the end of 2025, more than 70 percent of its prior authorizations will be part of an industrywide effort to standardize submission procedures. Aetna, a unit of CVS Health, says it has already standardized 88 percent of its prior authorization volume.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Tim Noel defended prior authorization as an “essential safeguard” but said it should only be used when it “truly protects patients and improves care.” The company noted that prior authorization is currently required for only 2 percent of its medical services, and that 92 percent of submitted requests are approved within 24 hours.
The policy shift also comes amid broader political scrutiny of healthcare practices. In a separate incident, UnitedHealthcare fired an employee for sympathizing with the WHCA dinner shooter, highlighting internal tensions over public perception.
Political and Regulatory Implications
Critics argue that even a 2 percent prior authorization rate can cause significant harm when applied to high-cost or time-sensitive treatments. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have introduced bills to limit the practice, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed rules to speed up electronic prior authorization for Medicare Advantage plans.
“This is a step in the right direction, but it’s not enough,” said Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO), who has sponsored legislation to reform prior authorization. “Patients shouldn’t have to wait for life-saving care while insurers play gatekeeper.”
UnitedHealthcare’s move could put pressure on competitors to follow suit, especially as Meta's Zuckerberg prioritizes growth over child safety and other corporate giants face scrutiny over their impact on public welfare.
The company said the changes will be phased in over the next two years, with the full elimination of prior authorization for the specified services completed by the end of 2026.
