UnitedHealth to Reduce Pediatric Prior Authorizations by Two-Thirds

By Connor Hart

UnitedHealth Group plans to stop requiring doctors to get approvals for an array of pediatric procedures, tests and services, further cutting back on a process that has long been detested by physicians and patients.

UnitedHealth, parent of the biggest U.S. health insurer, on Friday said that the changes will eliminate roughly two-thirds of prior-authorization requirements for members under the age of 18 by the end of the year.

UnitedHealthcare said it will stop requiring signoffs for many diagnostic services, routine surgical procedures and specialty care services across pediatric subspecialties such as cardiology, neurology, pulmonology and orthopedics.

The insurer will additionally introduce authorization waivers for certain procedures performed at pediatric hospitals.

UnitedHealthcare said it is conducting a rigorous and data-driven review of all pediatric prior authorization requirements in order to determine which services can be safely removed.

The rollback is part of an effort by health insurers to counter a backlash against pre-authorizations. UnitedHealthcare earlier this month said it would reduce prior authorizations by nearly a third. Rivals like CVS Health's Aetna and Cigna Group have also made moves to ease these types of reviews.

Doctors have long complained about the paperwork they must complete to get insurers' permission for care, which can lead to delays and denials, The Wall Street Journal previously reported.

Surveys of doctors and patients have shown that the insurers' validation process is a top gripe.

Write to Connor Hart at connor.hart@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 29, 2026 07:56 ET (11:56 GMT)