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UnitedHealthcare announced it will cut back on the number of services requiring prior authorization by 30% beginning October 1, 2026. The major health insurance company first stated its intent to streamline prior authorization requirements earlier this year. Physician Specialties Impacted Physicians across multiple specialties can expect a decline in the amount of prior authorization paperwork required by the insurer later this year — according to its latest statement — including specialists in cardiology, genetic and laboratory testing, chiropractic care, physical, occupational and speech therapy, orthopedic and musculoskeletal procedures, and others. Insurance Plans United's cutback of prior authorization requirements will primarily impact its: commercial insurance plans Medicare Advantage plans individual insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act The company's new rural prior authorization waiver program also aims to ease administrative requirements for strained hospitals and clinicians in underserved areas of the country and will begin on November 1, 2026. Why Now? United's announcement comes after years of public scrutiny from physicians, patients, and others, who report that arduous prior authorization processes and other administrative burdens are endangering patients and overwhelming the healthcare system. Notably, the company was among the coalition of health insurance organizations that vowed to "streamline, simplify, and reduce prior authorizations" during a news conference with federal government officials in 2025. The Arizona Medical Association remains an active leader of efforts to reform commercial medical insurance in the state. We will continue to monitor the development and outcomes of United's prior authorization requirement changes.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has declined to pursue criminal charges against Governor Katie Hobbs following a two-year investigation into allegations that Sunshine Residential Homes received a state rate increase in exchange for political contributions. What the Investigation Found Mayes said investigators reviewed more than 100,000 documents, along with campaign-finance records, state communications and other evidence, but found no evidence of the quid pro quo necessary to support a bribery charge. The investigation concluded that Sunshine's position as a major provider of foster-care beds, and the potential loss of hundreds of beds, played a significant role in the rate increase. Calls for Contractor Transparency Reforms While the investigation did not result in criminal charges, Mayes said the circumstances highlight weaknesses in Arizona's rules governing political contributions from state contractors. She is calling on both the governor and the Republican-controlled Legislature to work together on reforms that would increase transparency and public confidence around contractor donations. What's Next Other investigations into the matter remain ongoing, meaning the issue is not yet fully resolved.

A new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General audit found that Arizona did not adequately ensure Medicaid managed care organizations were complying with federal mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements for prior authorization. What the Audit Found The OIG reviewed three of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System's managed care organizations for the period of October 2022 through September 2023 and found that only one had completed the required annual parity analysis. The other two could not demonstrate that prior authorization requirements for behavioral health services were no more restrictive than those applied to medical and surgical care. Recommendations and AHCCCS's Response The OIG recommended that Arizona require plans to submit annual parity analyses and supporting data and that AHCCCS formally review those materials. AHCCCS agreed with the recommendations regarding documentation and oversight, but said its existing policies already require annual parity analyses. Why It Matters Ultimately, the report reinforces broader concerns about administrative barriers to behavioral health treatment and the importance of ensuring that prior authorization requirements do not create greater obstacles to mental health and substance use care than to other medical services.

A new Arizona Auditor General review has raised concerns about the Arizona Medical Board's handling of complaints against physicians, finding that the board has continued to take too long to resolve cases. The study — conducted for the state by Walker and Armstrong, an accounting firm — found that more than 75% of complaints were not resolved within six months, the benchmark identified by the Auditor General for timely resolution by health regulatory boards. The audit also cited concerns involving oversight, accountability, statutory compliance, and the board's exercise of its authority. The findings raise concerns on both sides of the regulatory process. Prompt investigations are important for protecting patients, while timely, consistent, and thorough proceedings are also important for physicians facing complaints. The Arizona Medical Board reports regulating more than 35,000 physicians and roughly 5,000 physician assistants.

More than 240 physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants at Banner Health have voted to form what would be Arizona's first union representing physicians. The clinicians, who work in Banner's outpatient primary care clinics across the Phoenix area, voted by roughly a two-to-one margin to be represented by the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). What Prompted the Union Vote Organizers cited several concerns driving the effort, including: Patient panel sizes Staffing resources Scheduling processes Administrative workload Their ability to provide consistent patient care A Scheduling Dispute Preceded the Filing The union filing followed a dispute involving a Banner family medicine physician who raised concerns about a scheduling issue that, if left unresolved, could have affected patient access to appointments. The physician later became the subject of an unfair labor practice complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board. The allegations remain part of an ongoing labor matter. How the Vote Unfolded More than 240 physicians and advanced practice clinicians employed by Banner Medical Group in the Phoenix metropolitan area filed for union representation, marking one of the largest physician-organizing efforts in Arizona in recent years. Clinicians across more than 30 Banner locations received ballots by mail. The National Labor Relations Board tallied the votes on September 2 and recorded that 149 workers voted in favor of unionizing and 66 were opposed. Banner Health's Response After the vote was tallied, Banner Health issued the following response: "The majority of AZ Banner Medical Group clinicians who participated in the recent union election voted to be represented by the Union of American Physicians and Dentists. We respect that decision, and if the results are certified by the National Labor Relations Board, we’ll consider our next steps in meeting our obligations to the Union, our clinicians and the community we serve." What Comes Next Pending certification, the next step will be negotiations between the union and Banner over a contract — a process that could take significant time.

Independent review backs flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines ahead of the respiratory virus season, with no new safety concerns identified. An Independent Look at the Evidence The American Medical Association and the Vaccine Integrity Project announced the release of an independent evidence review to inform respiratory virus immunization recommendations for the 2026-27 season. The AMA partnered with the Vaccine Integrity Project to engage medical specialty societies and public health organizations in three areas: identifying key policy questions, reviewing emerging evidence, and communicating findings to clinicians and patients. Recommendations by Patient Population Four medical societies developed the population-specific recommendations: American Academy of Pediatrics — patients younger than 19 American Academy of Family Physicians — patients 19 and older, and health care personnel American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — pregnancy Infectious Diseases Society of America — immunocompromised patients JAMA Publishes Supporting Evidence Reviews JAMA published evidence reviews covering all three respiratory pathogens — influenza, COVID-19, and RSV — along with a Perspective piece on the collaboration, giving physicians and other health professionals current evidence behind the immunization recommendations. The reviews found that immunizations against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV continue to provide meaningful protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death, and researchers identified no new safety concerns in comparative studies. New Resources for Clinicians and Patients The AMA also launched a digital resource hub of immunization materials at SpreadTheFacts.org to help clinicians and patients access and share the recommendations. Clinicians can learn more directly from the organizations involved during their webinar on September 23 covering the evidence review process, key findings, and the latest respiratory virus immunization recommendations. S ources: AMA press release ; JAMA evidence reviews on influenza , COVID-19 , and RSV ; JAMA Perspective piece.

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