Optum Rx removes reauthorizations from an additional 40 drugs

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Optum Rx, the pharmacy benefit manager of UnitedHealthcare, will reduce reauthorizations for an additional 40 drugs. This expands on the PBM’s efforts earlier this year, and there are now 180 medications with reduced reauthorization requirements.

Related: Optum Rx Eliminates Reauthorization on an Additional 60 Drugs

This effort builds on United Healthcare’s commitment made in March 2025 to make prescription drugs more accessible. In today’s announcement, Optum Rx is eliminating reauthorization on hormone therapies and those for knee authorization.

The additional drug that no longer need reauthorization include:

• Hormone Therapy: Aveed inj, Azmiro inj, Depo-Testosterone inj, Testosterone cypionate inj, Testone inj, Testopel implant pellets, Testosterone implant pellets, Testosterone enanthate inj, Xyosted inj, Jatenzo capsules, Kyzatrex capsules, Methitest tablets, Methyltestosterone capsules, Tlando capsules, Androgel, Natesto, Fortesta gel, Testim gel, Vogelxo gel, Testosterone gel, Testosterone solution
• Knee Osteoarthritis: Durolane inj, Euflexxa, Hyalgan, Synojoynt, Triluron inj, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gel-One inj, Gelsyn-3 inj, Genvisc, SupartzFX, Trivisc, Visco-3 inj, Hyalgan inj, Hymovis, Monovisc, Orthovisc, Synvisc inj, Synvisc One inj

Optum Rx is also expanding it PreCheck Prior Authorization, a technology solution that automates the creation and approval of prior authorizations. PreCheck Prior Authorization launched in October 2024 and integrates the electronic health record through the Surescripts network to ensure the authorizations meet the Optum Rx’s criteria. Option Rx officials say this has reduced approval time from 8.5 hours to less than 30 seconds.

By Jan. 1, 2026, PreCheck Prior Authorization will cover more than 45 medications and reach 20 health systems. In its partnership with Cleveland Clinic, Optum Rx has been able to achieve through PreCheck Prior Authorization a 100% accuracy after one year, delivered a 67% automation rate and cut appeals by 88%.

Related: Plans Agree to Prior Auth Reform. Physicians and Business Groups Want Measurable Results

Health plans have been facing significant and very public pressure around their policies on the utilization management tactic that they say is necessary to ensure their members’ care is safe, effective, evidence-based and affordable. In June 2025, more than 50 insurers, including UnitedHealthcare, pledged to streamline and simplify the prior authorization process through six new commitments.

Health plans have said that prior authorization reduces the costs of expensive treatments and improves care. Officials from the American Medical Association, however, point to a 2021 study published in Health Affairs that found prior authorization instead adds costs to healthcare. This study, which focused on prior authorization for prescription drugs, found that payers, manufacturers, physicians, and patients together spend approximately $93.3 billion annually on implementing, contesting, and navigating utilization management.