- UnitedHealth is removing prior authorization for a wide range of services starting Oct. 1 and aims to eliminate prior auth for 30% of services by year-end — meaning less paperwork and faster access to care for many patients.
- The change covers lots of specialties (cardiology, genetic/lab testing, physical/occupational/speech therapy, orthopedics, chiropractic, etc.) and applies across commercial plans, Medicare Advantage and ACA individual plans.
- The insurer is also easing rules and speeding payments for rural hospitals (a rural prior‑authorization waiver starts Nov. 1 and faster payments for ~1,400 rural/Critical Access Hospitals begin in Q3).
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