UnitedHealthcare eliminates prior authorization requirements linked to 1,700 procedure codes

By Chad Van Alstin / September 1, 2026

UnitedHealthcare, the insurance arm of UnitedHealth Group, confirmed Tuesday that it is sticking by its promise to end prior authorization requirements for a broad range of medical conditions by Oct. 1, comprising roughly 1,700 diagnostic and procedure codes.

The company also said it is on track to put an end to the prior authorization process entirely for 30% of all healthcare services before the beginning of 2027. For now, only certain plans are being impacted.

According to details released by the insurer, 11 states will see the first rollout of changes, with eliminated diagnostic codes varying based on location. North Carolina and Texas appear to be seeing the largest number of codes axed, meaning that any associated services will no longer be subject to pre-approval for reimbursement.

“Removing these prior authorization requirements is part of our effort to help reduce administrative work, remove barriers that can delay care and give you more time to focus on patient care,” UnitedHealthcare said in a statement.

The end to the prior authorization hurdle impacts multiple specialties, including cardiology, chiropractic care, occupational and physical therapy and orthopedics. Certain lab and genetic tests will also no longer be subject to pre-approval, as codes associated with those orders have also been eliminated.

Plan types impacted include individual and commercial insurance, as well as Medicare Advantage and community coverage, assuming patients and providers are located in the 11 states currently benefitting from the new streamlined system.

Prior authorizations have long been a headache for providers and a source of major contention between clinicians and payers. The process is often associated with delayed or denied patient care, as snags can be caused by simple coding or paperwork-related issues.

The plan to eliminate codes is part of an effort to remove that clerical burden and to improve transparency of what’s covered and what is not, UnitedHealthcare said.

Rural waivers incoming 

As part of the same effort to eliminate contentious prior authorizations, UnitedHealthcare will also begin to offer certain rural hospitals waivers, subject to approval. Beginning Nov. 1, those working with the insurer will no longer have to wait to deliver patient care for a wide range of services. 

The rural health program comes after a successful pilot, where UnitedHealthcare said reimbursement payments were processed 50% more quickly for some 1,400 hospitals in underserved areas.

It remains to be seen what impacts all of the above will have on patient care delivery and provider operations.

In May, UnitedHealthcare CEO Tim Noel framed the coming reduction in prior authorizations as "one more way we are working to make it easier for patients to get the care they need when they need it and ensure doctors can spend more time with their patients."

“Prior authorization is an essential safeguard but should only be used when it truly protects patients and improves care,” he added.