50 Health Insurers Commit to Standardizing Prior Authorization for Key Services

Major health insurance companies announced on Friday that they were accelerating efforts to streamline prior authorization requirements and reduce administrative burdens for providers, The Hill reported. The commitment was signed by about 50 companies, including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Cigna.

Participating plans are adopting a standardized approach for providers submitting electronic prior authorization requests for services such as orthopedic surgeries and imaging like CT scans and MRIs.

The standardized services span commercial coverage, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid managed care. UnitedHealthcare stated that more than half of its prior authorization volume will be incorporated into the standardization process.

” Oz added: “I applaud these efforts from a collection of the largest health plans across most market segments as momentum builds. ” A House panel is set to question health system executives next week on health care affordability, The Hill reported.

Separately, the Food and Drug Administration granted fast-track review on Friday to three companies studying psychedelic therapies to treat depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order on Thursday to reclassify state-licensed medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The order shifts the designation of licensed medical marijuana from a high level of regulation to a much looser level.

The reclassification impacts 40 states that have state-licensed medical marijuana programs. Sen. Tom Cotton criticized the Department of Justice’s decision to downgrade state-approved medical marijuana to a less dangerous drug on Thursday.