Major US health provider drops prior authorization for 30% of services — and 93% of doctors say it's long overdue

May 11, 2026 - 01:16

UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest health insurers in the United States, has announced it will eliminate prior authorization requirements for roughly 30% of its medical services. The change, which takes effect later this year, is being hailed by physicians as a long-overdue reform that cuts through red tape and puts patient care ahead of paperwork.

Prior authorization has long been a source of frustration for doctors and patients alike. The process requires healthcare providers to get approval from an insurance company before performing certain procedures, prescribing specific medications, or ordering advanced imaging. Critics argue it delays critical care, adds administrative burden, and can lead to worse health outcomes. A recent survey found that 93% of physicians believe the requirement is excessive and often unnecessary.

Under the new policy, UnitedHealthcare will remove prior authorization for a wide range of services, including many routine diagnostic tests, outpatient surgeries, and specialty referrals. The insurer says the decision is based on data showing that these services are almost always approved anyway, making the extra step redundant. The company estimates the change will affect millions of patients and reduce the time doctors spend on administrative tasks by thousands of hours annually.

While the move is a significant shift, some patient advocacy groups note that prior authorization remains in place for high-cost or high-risk treatments. Still, the announcement marks one of the most aggressive efforts by a major insurer to streamline care. For now, doctors and patients are taking the news as a win for common sense in healthcare.