UnitedHealthcare Ditches Prior Auth on Over 1,700 Services

UnitedHealthcare has announced that it will eliminate prior authorization requirements for over 1,700 services starting October 1. This move is part of its effort to reduce administrative work and give healthcare providers more time to focus on patient care.

The insurer aims to eliminate 30% of prior authorization requirements by the end of 2026. The majority of these codes will be in commercial and individual plans, with a large share in Texas, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Tim Noel said that removing prior auth requirements is 'one more way we are working to make it easier for patients to get the care they need when they need it.'