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News of the Day May 6, 2026
UnitedHealthcare to Eliminate Prior Authorization for 30% of Services
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.
In its announcement Tuesday, UnitedHealthcare said prior authorization is required for only 2% of its medical services, and 92 percent of submitted requests are approved in less than 24 hours.
Tim Noel, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, called prior authorization an “essential safeguard” in a statement, but said it should only be used when it truly protects patients and improves care.
The company said a full list of affected services will be published online before the changes take effect.