MINNEAPOLIS — Optum Rx is improving the pharmacy experience for patients, providers and pharmacists. By removing more drug reauthorizations and expanding automated prior authorization, Optum Rx is making it faster and easier for patients to get the medications they need – and for providers to focus on care, not paperwork.
On Jan. 1, 2026, Optum Rx will reduce reauthorizations for an additional 40 drugs. This expands on efforts started earlier this year to eliminate reauthorizations for chronic condition medications, and adds two new drug classes – hormone therapy and knee osteoarthritis injectables.
There are now 180 medications with reduced reauthorization, surpassing the initial goal of a 25% reduction in reauthorizations.
Optum Rx is expanding PreCheck Prior Authorization, its industry-first solution that automates the creation and approval of prior authorizations, reducing approval time from 8.5 hours to under 30 seconds. By Jan. 1, 2026, PreCheck Prior Authorization will cover more than 45 medications and reach 20 health systems, driving faster approvals for 75,000 physicians and helping patients get their medication faster. With the expansion, even more patients will have their prior authorization approved before going to the pharmacy and, in some cases, before leaving their appointment.
The results speak for themselves. In partnership with Cleveland Clinic, PreCheck Prior Authorization had 100% accuracy after one year, delivered a 67% automation rate and cut appeals by 88%, making health care simpler.
Additionally, with their partnership with Cleveland Clinic, PreCheck achieved 100% accuracy after one year, a 67% automation rate and an 88% reduction in appeals.
"It’s amazing to take what is already there in the chart to automate prior authorization without any additional effort from the physician, pharmacists or staff. I feel the promise and excitement of automation actually happening and working and hope it grows quickly,” said Dr. Eric Boose, associate chief medical information officer, Cleveland Clinic.
