The nation’s major health insurers are promising to scale back and improve a widely despised practice that leads to care delays and complications. UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health’s Aetna and dozens of other insurers say they plan to reduce the scope of health care claims subject to prior authorization, standardize the process and expand the number of real-time responses. Prior authorization means insurers require approval before they’ll cover medical care, a prescription or a service. Insurers say it helps guard against care overuse and ensures patients get the right treatment. Doctors say the practice has grown in scope and complication.
