UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Cigna advance prior authorization reforms

10 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · Apr 24

Aetna reports 88% of prior authorizations standardized and 83% processed in real time, while UnitedHealthcare and Cigna expect over 70% electronic submissions by year-end or 2026.
All three insurers highlight automation and digital tools to reduce provider burdens, with Aetna eliminating over 1 million provider calls and UnitedHealthcare cutting documentation requirements.
These updates follow industry pledges to streamline processes and deliver 80% of decisions in real time by 2027, amid ongoing scrutiny over delays in patient care.

Is 'streamlining' prior authorization just a code word for building a faster, more efficient denial machine?

As Medicare pilots its own AI for approvals, could it become another automated barrier to necessary patient care?

If 80% of appealed insurance denials are overturned, are AI systems simply programmed to say 'no' first?

How can the public trust AI in healthcare when the algorithms making life-altering decisions are kept secret?

When an algorithm denies life-saving care, who is legally responsible for the consequences?