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Kids' Care: Insurer Drops 2/3 Prior Approvals
29 May
Summary
- Nearly two-thirds of prior approvals for under-18s are eliminated.
- Focus is on reducing delays and paperwork for children's services.
- Parents can spend less time navigating the system and more time with kids.
UnitedHealthcare is eliminating prior approval requirements for approximately two-thirds of healthcare services for its members under the age of 18. This significant policy change, announced on May 29, 2026, is designed to reduce delays and extensive paperwork that can hinder access to necessary medical treatments for children.
The insurer will no longer require prior authorization for many diagnostic services, routine surgical procedures, and specialty care within pediatric subspecialties. This includes services related to cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, and orthopedics. Additionally, authorization waivers will be introduced for certain procedures performed at leading comprehensive pediatric hospitals.
Tim Noel, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, stated that parents should be able to dedicate more time to their children's well-being rather than navigating complex healthcare systems. The company is conducting a thorough, data-driven review of all pediatric prior authorization needs to identify additional services that can be safely removed from the approval process.
This initiative aligns with broader industry efforts to streamline administrative processes. Last month, UnitedHealth and CVS Health reported standardizing data and submission requirements for over half of their prior authorizations. By the end of 2026, more than 70% of UnitedHealthcare's prior authorizations are expected to be part of this new, standardized submission process.
