Becker's Healthcare January 26, 2026
Elizabeth Casolo

Settling into 2026, prior authorization continues to be a contentious topic for payers, providers, lawmakers and other leaders. From piloting prior authorization in Medicare to governors pitching reforms, this year is bound to feature significant shifts.

Here are eight prior authorization updates in 2026, so far:

1. CVS Health reported roughly half as many prior authorizations as its closest competitor, the company said Jan. 22. The company added that it approves more than 95% of requests within one day and 77% of electronic submissions in real time, with an expectation of reaching 80% by the end of the year.

2. Denial rates and prior authorization took center stage at two Congressional hearings Jan. 22 featuring leaders from UnitedHealth Group,...

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