UnitedHealthcare Ditches Prior Approval for 1,700+ Procedures

UnitedHealthcare has announced that it will no longer require prior approval for over 1,700 diagnostic codes tied to treatments and procedures. This change is part of the company's commitment to reduce prior authorization volume by 30% by the end of 2026.

The list of codes no longer requiring prior authorization includes a broad mix of services across multiple clinical specialties, including cardiology, genetic and laboratory testing, durable medical equipment, chiropractic care, physical, occupational and speech therapy, orthopedic and musculoskeletal procedures, home health services, and site-of-service reviews.

UnitedHealthcare provides health insurance coverage for over 48 million Americans and said that the reduction in prior authorization will be implemented on October 1. The company stated that this change is part of its ongoing effort to build a healthcare experience that works better for everyone.