Story perspectives

50 Insurers Adopt E-PA for CT/MRI, Cut Requests 11%

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

AHIP and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said 50 insurers—including Elevance Health and UnitedHealthcare—will adopt an electronic prior-authorization system for CT scans and MRIs.
Coalition cut prior-authorization requests 11% in nine months, eliminating 6.5 million and lowering Medicare Advantage requests 15%.
The insurers—UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Cigna—target 70% by end-2026, with Aetna already at 88% and 95% approvals within 24 hours, and plan a framework by Jan. 1 2027 to meet HHS and CMS.

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Story summary

AHIP and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said 50 insurers—including Elevance Health and UnitedHealthcare—will adopt an electronic prior-authorization system for CT scans and MRIs.
Coalition cut prior-authorization requests 11% in nine months, eliminating 6.5 million and lowering Medicare Advantage requests 15%.
The insurers—UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Cigna—target 70% by end-2026, with Aetna already at 88% and 95% approvals within 24 hours, and plan a framework by Jan. 1 2027 to meet HHS and CMS.