Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, are expected to announce major changes Monday to streamline prior authorization requirements in health insurance.
Insurers including UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, part of CVS Health, announced they will reduce the number of medical claims requiring prior approval, standardize the process, and expand real-time decision-making. These changes are aimed at improving efficiency and patient experience, particularly for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
Prior authorization, often criticized for delaying care and increasing costs, requires insurer approval before covering specific treatments or medications. Dr. Oz previously called the practice “a pox on the system” during his Senate confirmation hearing in March.
Insurers have also committed to honoring prior authorizations when patients switch plans and completing more reviews electronically by the end of 2025.
The announcement is part of a broader push by the Biden administration to reduce red tape and improve access to care.
Source(s)
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
