--- title: Prior Authorization Processes Overhauled description: Some health insurers are revamping their prior authorization processes due to an impending rule which would limit the time insurers have to approve these. image: https://blog.nisbenefits.com/hubfs/blog-headers/prior-authorization-b.jpg --- - [Blog](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/) - [Resources](https://info.nisbenefits.com/resources?utm_campaign=nis-website-resources&utm_source=knowledge-hub&utm_medium=link) - [Client Login](https://services.nis-sif.com/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f) Search [![Logo alt](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/NIS_March_2025/images/nis-logo.png?width=180&height=56&name=nis-logo.png "Logo alt")](https://www.nisbenefits.com/) - Employee Benefits - [Insured Products](https://www.nisbenefits.com/employee-benefits/) - [No-Cost Value-Adds ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/employee-benefits/no-cost-value-adds/) - [Success Stories ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/employee-benefits/success-stories/) - [Resources ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/employee-benefits/resources/) - Consulting - [Full Benefit Consulting](https://www.nisbenefits.com/consulting/) - [How We Work with You ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/consulting/how-we-work-with-you/) - [Consulting Team ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/consulting/consulting-team/) - [Employee Education ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/consulting/employee-education/) - [Wellness ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/consulting/wellness/) - [Decision Support Tools ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/consulting/decision-support-tools/) - [MyWave Connect ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/consulting/mywave-connect/) - [Self-Funding ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/consulting/self-funding/) - [Success Stories ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/consulting/success-stories/) - [Resources ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/consulting/resources/) - Retiree Solutions - [History of Retiree Benefits](https://www.nisbenefits.com/retiree-solutions/) - [Incentive Payouts ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/retiree-solutions/incentive-payouts/) - [Restructuring Retiree Benefits ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/retiree-solutions/restructuring-retiree-benefits/) - [ICHRAs ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/retiree-solutions/ichras/) - [Retiree Medical Assistance ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/retiree-solutions/retiree-medical-assistance/) - [Resources ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/retiree-solutions/retirement-resources/) - Employer Options - [Employer Tools](https://www.nisbenefits.com/employer-options/) - [Cyber Liability ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/employer-options/cyber-liability/) - [Property & Casualty ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/employer-options/property-and-casualty/) - [Gap Analysis ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/employer-options/gap-analysis/) - About NIS - [Our Story](https://www.nisbenefits.com/about-nis/) - [Noble Purpose ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/about-nis/noble-purpose/) - [Office Locations ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/about-nis/office-locations/) - [Leadership ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/about-nis/leadership/) - [Subject Matter Experts ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/about-nis/subject-matter-experts/) - [Partnerships ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/about-nis/partnerships/) - [Work with Us ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/about-nis/work-with-us/) - [Giving ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/about-nis/giving/) - [Contact NIS ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/about-nis/contact-nis/) [ Client Login ](https://services.nis-sif.com/Account/Login) [ Search ](https://www.nisbenefits.com/search/) ✕ ![Prior Authorization Processes Overhauled](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/hubfs/blog-headers/prior-authorization-b.jpg) # Prior Authorization Processes Overhauled - Home - [Employee Benefit News for School, City and County Employers](https://blog.nisbenefits.com) - Prior Authorization Processes Overhauled [ Erin Woulfe ](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/author/erin-woulfe) 04/26/2023 [ Health Insurance Solutions](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/topic/health-insurance-solutions), [ Legislative News](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/topic/aca-other-legislative-news) [0 Comments ](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/prior-authorization-processes-overhauled#postComment) 1 Minutes *1 minute read* Several health insurers including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Aetna are making plans to revamp their prior authorization processes. Prior authorization or preauthorization is when a doctor must get approval from an insurer for medication or treatment before administering it. Changes are being made due to an impending federal rule which would limit the time insurers have to approve prior authorization requests. Starting in 2026, plans will respond to a standard request within 7 days (instead of the current 14-day period) and 72 hours for urgent requests. Doctors argue that the additional administration steps associated with preauthorization can delay necessary services and increase the administrative burden. ** ** ## **Changes** Many insurers plan to revamp their prior authorization processes by boosting automations and speeding up decision making. Insurers may review and assess utilization and may remove prior authorization reviews from some services. ** ** ## **Next Steps** The rule to streamline prior authorization processes is expected to finalize soon. Stay tuned to our [blog](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/) for the latest updates. For now, employers can continue to monitor [health care trends](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/employee-benefit-trends-for-2023), utilization, and spending. [Download the bulletin](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/hubfs/blog-supporting-docs/bulletin-overhaul-prior-authorization-process.pdf) for more details. 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