UnitedHealthcare Reduces Most Prior Approvals For Pediatric Patients

InnovationHealthcareUnitedHealthcare Reduces Most Prior Approvals For Pediatric PatientsByBruce Japsen,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bruce Japsen writes about healthcare business and policy.Follow AuthorMay 29, 2026, 07:00am EDTUnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest health insurance company, said it is “removing two-thirds of authorization requirements” for health plan members under age 18 by the end of this year, the company announced Friday, May 28, 2026.In this photo is UnitedHealthcare signage as displayed on an office building in Phoenix, Arizona on July 19, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesUnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest health insurance company, said it is “removing two-thirds of authorization requirements” for health plan members under age 18 by the end of this year.The move comes almost a year after the nation’s health insurance companies vowed to “streamline, simplify and reduce” prior authorization, the controversial process of insurers reviewing hospital admissions and medications.Last summer, the biggest names in health insurance, including Cigna, CVS Health’s Aetna, UnitedHealth Group’s UnitedHealthcare and Humana, were among more than 50 health insurers committing to reducing prior authorization along with simplifying business practices in general. Those sweeping commitments were announced by America’s Health Insurance Plans, also known as AHIP, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. These groups and their health plan members, which provide health benefits to more than 250 million Americans, said they “aim to accelerate decision timelines, increase transparency and expand access to affordable, quality care.” And many have done so, announcing an array of initiatives in recent months to eliminate or reduce the need for patients to seek prior authorization. Just last month, for example, Aetna, the nation’s th...