UnitedHealthcare drops most medical prior authorizations for rural care

UnitedHealthcare said rural providers will be exempt from most medical prior authorization requirements that apply today, with the change scheduled for fall 2026. The company also plans to speed payments by up to 50% for about 1,500 rural hospitals and all Critical Access Hospitals. The payment pilot is expanding to five more states with immediate effect.

• Rural providers exempt from most medical prior authorizations, starting fall 2026
• Payments sped up by up to 50% for about 1,500 rural hospitals and all Critical Access Hospitals
• Pilot expanded to Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia