UnitedHealthcare cuts prior authorizations by 30%

By Elizabeth Casolo / May 5, 2026

UnitedHealthcare is paring down prior authorizations for 30% of services with these requirements, according to a May 5 news release.

These cuts will take place by the end of 2026. UnitedHealthcare will roll back authorization requirements for some outpatient surgeries, diagnostic tests like echocardiograms, outpatient therapies and chiropractic care.

The company said prior authorizations are currently only needed for 2% of medical services. On average, over 90% of requests are approved, and those approvals took place within 24 hours.

At the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting in Chicago, UnitedHealthcare CEO of Employer and Individual Dan Kueter said the company reduced commercial prior authorization requirements by 20% and was aiming for an additional 30% reduction.

In April, the insurer shared plans to scale back prior authorizations for rural providers. That same month, the company joined roughly 50 health plans in agreeing to standardize electronic prior authorizations across most services. The move built upon an earlier commitment to ease up on prior authorization.