- UnitedHealthcare plans to remove prior approval for nearly two-thirds of its pediatric services.
- The change aims to reduce delays and paperwork for patients and doctors.
- CEO Tim Noel emphasizes focusing on children's care over navigating the system.
BENGALURU — UnitedHealth's insurance unit on Friday said it would eliminate prior approval requirements for about two-thirds of its healthcare services for members under age 18, as insurers aim to reduce delays and paperwork amid complaints from patients and doctors.
U.S. health insurers have been working to deliver on commitments made last year to reduce excessive paperwork that can delay or even deny needed care.
UnitedHealthcare said it would eliminate prior approval for many diagnostic services, routine surgical procedures and specialty care services across pediatric subspecialties such as cardiology, neurology, pulmonology and orthopedics.
It will also introduce authorization waivers for certain procedures performed at leading comprehensive pediatric hospitals, the insurer said.
"Parents should be able to spend less time having to navigate the health system and more time focusing on their children as they get the care they need," said Tim Noel, CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
The insurer added that it is conducting a rigorous, data-driven review of all pediatric prior authorization requirements to determine which services can be safely removed.
Last month, UnitedHealth and CVS Health said they had standardized data and submission requirements for more than half of their prior authorizations.
More than 70% of UnitedHealthcare's prior authorizations will be part of the new standardized submission process by the year's end, the insurer said.
