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UnitedHealth Group Scraps Prior Authorizations for 1,700 Service Codes

Guavy AI Editorial Team Published September 4, 2026

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UnitedHealth Group is taking steps to simplify healthcare services by eliminating prior authorization requirements for nearly 1,700 service codes. The move will affect home health, durable medical equipment, cardiology, occupational and speech therapy, and site-of-service reviews among other services. This change will go into effect on October 1, 2026.

The company has set a goal to reduce prior authorization volume by 30% by the end of 2026. UnitedHealth Group's CEO Tim Noel stated in May that prior authorization is an essential safeguard but should only be used when it truly protects patients and improves care.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans and Dual Special Needs Plans will see the impact of this change, as it affects global Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. CPT codes describe procedures for physicians to perform.

UnitedHealth Group Scraps Prior Authorizations for 1,700 Service Codes

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