UnitedHealthcare, the insurance arm of UnitedHealth Group, will eliminate prior authorization requirements for a wide range of medical services starting October 1, 2026, as part of a broader effort to simplify healthcare administration.

The insurer aims to remove prior approval requirements for 30% of healthcare services by the end of the year. The latest changes will cover services across several medical specialties, including cardiology, genetic and laboratory testing, chiropractic treatment, physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as orthopedic and musculoskeletal procedures.

Prior authorization requires healthcare providers to obtain approval from an insurer before certain treatments, tests or procedures can be provided or covered. Doctors and patients have increasingly criticized the process, arguing that extensive paperwork and approval delays can interfere with timely care.

Changes Across Multiple Insurance Plans

The elimination of authorization requirements will apply across several UnitedHealthcare insurance offerings. These include commercial plans, Medicare Advantage plans for older adults and individual plans sold under the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.

The company said the changes are intended to reduce administrative burdens, make requirements easier to understand and give healthcare professionals and patients more time to focus on treatment rather than paperwork.

UnitedHealthcare is among several major insurers that have been taking steps to streamline prior authorization processes amid growing pressure from doctors, patients and policymakers.

Additional Support for Rural Hospitals

The insurer is also planning changes aimed specifically at rural healthcare providers.

Beginning November 1, UnitedHealthcare will introduce a rural prior authorization waiver program for eligible rural hospitals and affiliated providers. The initiative is designed to reduce administrative hurdles for facilities that often operate with fewer resources than larger healthcare systems.

In addition, the company said it is accelerating payments by as much as 50% for approximately 1,400 rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals during the third quarter.

Push to Simplify Healthcare Administration

UnitedHealthcare’s latest move reflects a broader industry effort to reduce the administrative complexity surrounding medical care.

For patients and providers, removing prior authorization requirements could mean fewer approval steps and less paperwork for eligible services. The insurer’s broader goal of eliminating authorization requirements for nearly one-third of healthcare services by year-end signals a significant shift toward simplifying access and reducing administrative friction across its plans.

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