Ahead of a final rule that would limit the amount of time insurers have to approve prior authorization requests and would require an electronic, FHIR API standard, UnitedHealth Group said it would reduce the use of its prior authorization process by 20% for some non-urgent surgeries and procedures.
Starting this summer, hospitals and physicians will get coverage approval for certain non-emergency procedures when UnitedHealthcare begins procedure code reductions, which will eliminate nearly 20% of current prior authorizations, Healthcare Finance reports.
The procedure code reductions will continue through the rest of the year for most commercial, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid businesses. Prior authorization removal will comply with state and federal requirements and will be done in accordance with existing commercial health plan agreements, UHG said. Read more.
