Major US Insurers Plan Streamlined Prior Authorization Affecting 257 Million Patients by 2027

Major U.S. health insurers, including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Humana, Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, have pledged to streamline the widely criticized prior authorization process that often delays medical care. Under a new initiative led by the trade group AHIP, insurers will standardize and digitize prior authorization requests, reduce the number of services requiring approval, and provide clearer, more transparent communication to patients and providers. These reforms aim to ease administrative burdens on doctors and speed up patient access to essential treatments, with full implementation expected between 2026 and 2027. Insurers also committed to ensuring that patients switching plans can continue receiving care for at least 90 days without interruption. The changes will impact 257 million Americans across commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage markets. While industry and medical leaders welcome the move as a step forward, many are watching to see if these promises lead to real improvements in patient and provider experiences.