On June 23 and 24, 2025, more than 50 major U.S. health insurance companies, including UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health's Aetna, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, pledged to streamline and expedite the prior authorization process, which often causes delays and complications in patient care. These insurers, representing about 75% of covered Americans—approximately 257 million people—committed to reducing the scope of health care claims requiring prior authorization and expanding real-time response capabilities. The initiative aims to cut red tape, improve coverage reviews, and make access to care quicker and less cumbersome.
The pledge was made under pressure from the Trump administration, with U.S. Health Secretary Kennedy receiving the commitment. Dr. Mehmet Oz publicly announced the insurers' promise to make prior authorization quicker and more efficient. The reforms include six key measures designed to simplify the process and address widespread complaints about delays and denials of care. Healthcare providers have expressed support for the voluntary reforms, and insurers aim to achieve real-time processing by 2027. Despite previous similar promises, this renewed effort highlights the industry's response to federal government and public demands for improved health care access.