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UnitedHealthcare (UHC) announced on May 5, 2026, that it will eliminate prior authorization requirements for an additional 30% of healthcare services by the end of 2026. Notably, the list of services being freed from prior authorization includes certain outpatient therapies and chiropractic care, along with select outpatient surgeries and some diagnostic tests such as echocardiograms.
What Is Changing
Prior authorization is currently required for only 2% of UnitedHealthcare medical services, and approximately 92% of submitted authorizations are approved in less than 24 hours, on average. The new 30% reduction cuts into that remaining 2% further, with chiropractic care explicitly named among the service categories being relieved of the requirement.
A full list of affected services will be available on UHCProvider.com before these changes take effect. KAC will share that link with members once it is published.
Context: A Series of UHC Policy Shifts
This announcement is part of a broader set of reforms UHC has rolled out in recent months:
- April 24, 2026: UHC championed an industry effort to standardize electronic prior authorization submission requirements. More than 70% of its prior authorizations are expected to be part of the new standardized submission process by year-end.
- April 20, 2026: UHC announced expanded support for rural healthcare communities, including exempting many rural care providers from prior authorization requirements and accelerating payments to select rural hospitals. By fall 2026, the program is expected to expand to approximately 1,500 rural hospitals and their associated rural practitioners nationwide, including all Critical Access Hospitals.
- March 31, 2026: UHC publicly reported prior authorization metrics and now maintains that data on its website for care providers, members, and the public.
What This Means for Your Practice
If you currently submit prior authorization requests to UHC for chiropractic services, you may see that requirement removed for certain service types by the end of 2026. However, a few important caveats apply:
- The specific CPT codes or service categories covered by this change have not yet been published. Monitor UHCProvider.com and watch for KAC updates once that list is released.
- This applies to UHC commercial plans. Coverage policies under UHC Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care, and workers’ compensation arrangements operate under separate frameworks and are not necessarily affected by this announcement.
- Nothing in this announcement changes your documentation or coding obligations. Strong clinical records remain essential regardless of whether prior authorization is required.
KAC Will Keep You Informed
KAC is monitoring this development closely and will provide updates as UHC releases the specific list of affected services. If you have questions in the meantime, contact us at kac@thekac.org or visit thekac.org.
