UnitedHealth and CVS Health have taken significant steps to streamline the prior authorization process for medical services, responding to ongoing scrutiny over the complexity of health insurance requirements. As part of this initiative, UnitedHealthcare plans to standardize data and submission requirements for over 70% of its prior authorizations by the end of the year, covering its commercial plans and government-backed Medicare Advantage and Medicaid programs. Meanwhile, CVS Health's Aetna unit has achieved an impressive 88% standardization of its prior authorization volume. This standardized approach will apply to commonly authorized medical services, such as orthopedic surgeries and imaging tests like CT scans and MRIs. The goal is to enhance predictability, minimize rework, and reduce the number of requests for additional information. Importantly, these changes will not impact the coverage rules or medical criteria used to approve or deny care, ensuring that patient care remains a priority.