UnitedHealthcare to cut prior authorization for 30% of treatments

MoneyWatch UnitedHealthcare to cut prior authorization for 30% of services. Here's what to know. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Aimee Picchi Aimee Picchi Associate Managing Editor, MoneyWatch Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports. Read Full Bio Aimee Picchi Updated on: May 5, 2026 / 10:51 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google UnitedHealthcare said on Tuesday it is eliminating "prior authorization" requirements for 30% of medical services that previously required insurer approval, a policy shift that could eliminate red tape and speed access to patient care.The move comes amid pressure on the health insurance industry to limit prior authorizations, the process by which health care providers such as doctors or hospitals obtain approval from patients' insurance carriers to deliver care.Prior authorizations have long drawn criticism for the time they require of physicians' offices and for hindering patients' access to care, with the American Medical Association finding that such offices spend an average of 12 hours per week seeking insurer approval for medical treatments. Critics say those hours would be better spent providing medical care, while some patients report being denied treatment by their insurance companies.UnitedHealthcare, the largest U.S. health insurer, said in a statement that prior authorization is required for 2% of the medical services covered under its policies. About 92% of those are approved within 24 hours, the company said.  "Prior authorization is an essential safeguard but should only be used when it truly protects patients and improves care," UnitedHealthcare CEO Tim Noel said in a statement. "Eliminating these requirements is one more way we a...