Stored Article Content
Skip to content Toggle Menu Read The Paper Sign Up Account Profile Log Out Newsletters Morning Report 12:30 Report Evening Report Business Defense Health Care Technology Newsletter Energy & Environment Whole Hog Politics The Gavel The Movement Toggle Menu NEWS Senate House Administration Courts Media Campaign News 2026 Midterm Elections Education In The Know DC News State Watch Print Edition People in the News POLICY Defense Health Care Energy & Environment Keeping Score Technology Transportation International Cybersecurity National Security Space BUSINESS Budget Taxes Personal Finance Lobbying HEALTH OPINION Columnists Congress Blog All Contributors Opinions – Campaign Opinions – Civil Rights Opinions – Criminal Justice Opinions – Cybersecurity Opinions – Education Opinions – Energy and Environment Opinions – Finance Opinions – Healthcare Opinions – Immigration Opinions – International Opinions – Judiciary Opinions – National Security Opinions – Technology Opinions – White House Submit Opinion Content EVENTS Upcoming Events About VIDEOS Sign Up Account Profile Log Out Newsletters NEWS POLICY BUSINESS HEALTH OPINION EVENTS VIDEOS Live: Iran-US deal Trending: America 250 event 'No Kings' event Pete Buttigieg Sponsored: Content from Google Cloud Just In SEC scraps climate rules Business & Economy | 17 minutes ago Bulgaria to end US military aircraft stay after visa program dispute Defense | 1 hour ago UnitedHealthcare removing prior approval for most pediatric services Health Care | 1 hour ago Ex-Iowa schools chief gets 2-year sentence on immigration, gun charges Education | 1 hour ago Jill Biden calls husband’s cancer diagnosis ‘shocking’: ‘Somehow that was missed’ In The Know | 1 hour ago Live updates: Judge tells Kennedy Center to stay open, removes Trump’s name; Bondi casts blame on Epstein files missteps Administration | 1 hour ago FAA head says air traffic system is ‘safe, but it’s not efficient’ Transportation | 1 hour ago Judge blocks Kennedy Center closure, Trump renaming In The Know | 1 hour ago View all Load more Health Care UnitedHealthcare removing prior approval for most pediatric services Comments: by Nathaniel Weixel - 05/29/26 3:59 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Nathaniel Weixel - 05/29/26 3:59 PM ET Comments: Link copied NOW PLAYING Insurance giant UnitedHealthcare said it will drastically cut down its prior authorization requirements for pediatric care, as the company further scales back a process that physicians say adds an unnecessary barrier to timely and necessary medical care. UnitedHealthcare said it is removing two-thirds of authorization requirements for members under age 18 by the end of the year. The company said it will stop requiring physician approval for many diagnostic services, routine surgical procedures and specialty care services across pediatric subspecialties such as cardiology, neurology, pulmonology and orthopedics. The company will continue to require preapproval for services with higher clinical complexity or variability, including experimental treatments, specialty drugs and when required by government regulation. The move is part of a broader effort by insurance companies to respond to a growing backlash over prior authorization requirements. The insurer earlier this month announced a goal to eliminate prior-approval requirements for 30 percent of healthcare services by the end of the year. 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. UnitedHealthcare will also introduce authorization waivers for certain procedures performed at leading comprehensive pediatric hospitals, the company said. The hospitals are part of a “broad network of nationally recognized pediatric centers spanning medical and surgical specialties.” In 2024, more than 9 in 10 physicians (93 percent) reported care delays while waiting for insurers to authorize necessary treatment, according to a survey by the American Medical Association, which represents the nation’s doctors. Add as preferred source on Google Tags Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Comments: Link copied More Health Care News See All Health Care JFK Airport to screen airline passengers from Ebola outbreak nations by Finya Swai 4 hours ago Health Care / 4 hours ago Health Care Trump’s baby boom goal sees few signs of progress by Joseph Choi 11 hours ago Health Care / 11 hours ago Health Care US Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya to open Friday by Nathaniel Weixel 23 hours ago Health Care / 23 hours ago Health Care CDC: About 8 percent of US was uninsured in 2025 by Nathaniel Weixel 1 day ago Health Care / 1 day ago See All Video/Hill.TV See all Hill.TV See all Video THE HILL TV Rising: May 29, 2026 by TheHill.com 05/29/26 10:47 AM ET THE HILL TV / 6 hours ago THE HILL TV Rising: May 28, 2026 by TheHill.com 1 day ago THE HILL TV / 1 day ago THE HILL TV Rising: May 27, 2026 by TheHill.com 2 days ago THE HILL TV / 2 days ago See all Hill.TV See all Video Top Stories See All House Bondi points finger at Blanche in House interview on Epstein files by Rebecca Beitsch and Emily Brooks 3 hours ago House / 3 hours ago See All Most Popular Criminal probe of E. Jean Carroll creates major headache for Senate GOP Bondi points finger at Blanche in House interview on Epstein files Putin adviser warns EU after drone hits Romania: ‘The peaceful sleep is ... Judge blocks Kennedy Center closure, Trump renaming Bolton slams proposed Iran deal: ‘Big defeat for the United States’ Bulgaria to end US military aircraft stay after visa program dispute Most artists announced for ‘Great American State Fair’ have backed out. Who ... Bret Michaels pulls out of America 250 concert, citing divisiveness, threats Cornyn shares fable of frog and scorpion after Trump sinks reelection Freedom 250 spokesperson: Nothing ‘partisan’ about fair, as musical artists ... ‘No Kings’ movement planning nationwide event on Trump 80th birthday Hegseth names investor who called Mamdani ‘Islamist’ to Pentagon tech board Trump approval rating slips to record low of 34 percent in YouGov/Economist poll Martina McBride pulls out of America 250 concert: ‘Turned out to be ... Buttigieg leads crowded 2028 Democratic field in new poll Mullin ‘drawing up plans’ to halt international flight processing in ... Live updates: Judge tells Kennedy Center to stay open, removes Trump’s ... Jill Biden calls husband’s cancer diagnosis ‘shocking’: ‘Somehow that ... Load more DON'T MISS A BRIEF. SIGN UP FOR OUR DAILY EMAIL. News Senate House Campaign 2026 Midterm Elections Regulation Media In The Know More Policy Defense Energy & Environment Health Care Technology International Transportation Cybersecurity National Security More Video Latest Defense Video Clips Health Care Video Clips National Security Video Clips Sunday Shows Events Video Clips More Opinion Contributors to The Hill Columnists Congress Blog More Resources Sitemap The Hill Apps People RSS Print Edition Other Areas Galleries The Hill Jobs National Jobs Contributors Submit Opinion Content About Us Work For The Hill Follow Us On Visit our Facebook page Visit our X profile Visit our LinkedIn profile Visit our Haystack News Get the App Get the Android app from Google Play Get the iOS app from App Store PRIVACY POLICY 09/30/2025 TERMS & CONDITIONS CONTACT ADVERTISE NewsNation BestReviews Advertise with Nexstar Journalistic Integrity Your Privacy Choices Cancel My Account THE HILL 400 N CAPITOL STREET NW, SUITE 650 WASHINGTON DC 20002 © 1998 - 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. ✕ Provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Sign in to create a free account. No password needed. Enter your email and we’ll send a secure one-click link to sign in. Please enter a valid email address By clicking on any of the sign up options below, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use, which includes a jury trial waiver and class action waiver, and that you have read our Privacy Policy detailing our collection, use and sharing of your personal information. By clicking on any of the sign up options below, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use, which includes a jury trial waiver and class action waiver, and that you have read our Privacy Policy detailing our collection, use and sharing of your personal information. Sign Up or No Thanks The Hill is provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and uses the My Nexstar sign-in, which works across our media network. Learn more at nexstar.tv/privacy-policy. The Hill is provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and uses the My Nexstar sign-in, which works across our media network. Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is a leading, diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports, and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms. The My Nexstar sign-in works across the Nexstar network—including The CW, NewsNation, The Hill, and more. Learn more at nexstar.tv/privacy-policy. Provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Check your email inbox We’ve sent an email containing a verification link which expires in 10 minutes. Try another email Provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Thanks for registering! Provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Are you sure you want to log out? Log out of all Nexstar properties Log out Cancel