Optum Rx says it will eliminate 10% of prior authorizations

Healthcare DIVE March 19, 2025
Rebecca Pifer

The massive pharmacy benefit manager plans to stop requiring coverage reauthorizations for roughly 80 drugs used to treat migraines, multiple sclerosis, high cholesterol and more.

Dive Brief:

• Optum Rx is moving to eliminate prior authorizations on dozens of drugs, the UnitedHealth-owned pharmacy benefit manager said Wednesday, paring back a key pain point for physicians and patients at a time of widespread discontent with middlemen in the healthcare industry.
• Starting May 1, Optum Rx will eliminate reauthorizations — when drugs already being used by a patient need to be reapproved by their plan — for roughly 80 drugs. The program will cut up to 25% of all reauthorizations, or 10% of prior authorizations overall, the PBM said.
• The drugs included...

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