UnitedHealth is eliminating prior authorization requirements for a wide range of medical procedures, including echocardiograms, chiropractic care, and certain outpatient surgeries, later this year. The insurer, the largest in the U.S., says the change will reduce administrative burdens on doctors and speed up patient access to care. It plans to use AI-driven data analysis to identify unusual provider patterns instead of requiring blanket pre-approvals.

The move follows sustained criticism from doctors and patients who have long viewed prior authorization as a major barrier to timely treatment. While insurers argue the process prevents unnecessary procedures, many see it as a profit-driven delay tactic. UnitedHealth says it will cut authorization requirements by nearly a third and is standardizing rules across Medicare, Medicaid, and employer plans.

This shift comes amid broader industry reforms. Competitors like Aetna and Cigna have also eased authorization rules, partly in response to public backlash intensified by the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The accused, Luigi Mangione, cited systemic healthcare grievances in his writings. UnitedHealth stresses AI will not be used to deny claims, and currently, 92% of authorizations are approved within 24 hours.