Several dozen top insurance companies, including UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, have announced plans to make “prior authorization” – a process that can delay or deny medical treatments – more efficient and transparent over the next 18 months. The move aims to alleviate concerns from doctors and patients who say the practice makes it harder to receive care.
The changes, which affect insurance plans purchased through employers as well as those available on the marketplaces for Medicare and Medicaid recipients, include reducing the scope of services that require prior authorization. Insurers claim this will make the process less burdensome without compromising patient safety.
Consumer advocates, however, are cautious about the impact, noting that the starting point is unclear and it’s often difficult to determine what services are subject to prior authorization. The practice has been criticized by lawmakers, with some insurers agreeing to rein in prior authorization in 2018 but showing little progress since then.
The health insurance industry association America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) says the changes aim to address outdated manual processes that cause frustration for patients and providers alike. Insurers will also establish a standard electronic request form for doctors and maintain existing prior authorization for patients when switching plans.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/06/23/prior-authorization-insurance-health-plans