Trending Now - Unitedhealthcare Eases Approval Process for Most Pediatric Care

WHO:

KSL.com - UnitedHealth's insurance unit, Tim Noel (CEO of UnitedHealthcare)

WHAT:

KSL.com - UnitedHealth will eliminate prior approval requirements for about two-thirds of its healthcare services for members under age 18.

Yahoo - UnitedHealth will eliminate prior approval for many diagnostic services, routine surgical procedures, and specialty care services across pediatric subspecialties such as cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, and orthopedics.

Yahoo - UnitedHealth will introduce authorization waivers for certain procedures performed at leading comprehensive pediatric hospitals.

Yahoo - More than 70% of UnitedHealthcare's prior authorizations will be part of the new standardized submission process by the year's end.

WHERE:

KSL.com - Bengaluru (location of the announcement)

WHY:

KSL.com - The changes aim to reduce delays and paperwork amid complaints from patients and doctors.

Yahoo - U.S. health insurers are working to deliver on commitments made last year to reduce excessive paperwork that can delay or deny needed care.

HOW:

KSL.com - UnitedHealth is conducting a rigorous, data-driven review of all pediatric prior authorization requirements to determine which services can be safely removed.

Yahoo - Last month, UnitedHealth and CVS Health standardized data and submission requirements for more than half of their prior authorizations.

(UPDATED May 29, 2026 23:24 UTC)

UnitedHealth's insurance unit, led by CEO Tim Noel, has announced a significant change that will eliminate prior approval requirements for about two-thirds of its healthcare services for members under age 18. This new policy will streamline access to many diagnostic services, routine surgical procedures, and specialty care across various pediatric subspecialties, with more than 70% of prior authorizations expected to be part of a standardized submission process by the end of the year. The decision, made in Bengaluru, aims to reduce delays and paperwork, addressing ongoing complaints from patients and doctors while fulfilling commitments made by U.S. health insurers to improve care delivery.