UnitedHealthcare to eliminate prior authorization for 30 percent of services

(NewsNation) — UnitedHealthcare plans to eliminate prior authorization for 30 percent of services that require insurer approval, reducing delays and paperwork for patients and doctors.

The company said, by the end of 2026, it will remove prior authorization requirements for certain outpatient surgeries, diagnostic tests such as echocardiograms, and some outpatient therapies and chiropractic care.

Prior authorization is a process that has long frustrated patients and doctors, creating administrative hurdles that can delay care.

In 2024, more than 9 in 10 physicians (93 percent) reported care delays while waiting for insurers to authorize necessary treatment, according to a survey by the American Medical Association, which represents the nation’s........

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