UnitedHealth revises controversial prior authorization plan for colonoscopies

UnitedHealth Group Inc. is backing off a controversial plan to require prior authorizations for colonoscopies and other endoscopic procedures, Axios reports. UnitedHealth had planned on June 1 to start requiring prior authorizations for most endoscopic procedures, including some to treat cancer and gastrointestinal diseases. But facing sharp pushback from physician groups, the insurer May 31 announced it would instead put in place an alternative advance notification process that requires clinicians to collect and submit patient data before performing a procedure.