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UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health, Cigna Among Insurers Pledging Prior Authorization Reform for 257 Million Americans by 2027

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Updated Jul 1, 2025, 01:43 AM

Major U.S. health insurance companies, including UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health's Aetna, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, have pledged to reform the prior authorization process to reduce delays and complications in patient care. This commitment affects approximately 257 million Americans, representing about 75% of those covered by health insurance. The insurers have agreed to scale back the scope of health care claims subject to prior authorization and aim to expand real-time responses.

These reforms are intended to streamline coverage reviews, which have been widely criticized for causing care delays and administrative burdens. The pledge comes amid pressure from the Trump administration and was publicly announced by Dr. Mehmet Oz. The insurers have committed to implementing six reforms designed to cut red tape and expedite access to care, with goals to achieve real-time processing by 2027. Federal health officials, including U.S. Health Secretary Kennedy, have promoted these insurer pledges as part of efforts to improve Medicare Advantage and Medicaid prior authorization procedures. Healthcare providers have expressed support for these voluntary reforms, which aim to make the prior authorization process quicker and less burdensome for patients and providers alike.

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