In a move that may leave exhausted doctors and frustrated patients cautiously optimistic, UnitedHealthcare announced Tuesday, May 5, that it plans to eliminate prior- authorization requirements for 30% of applicable medical services by the end of 2026.

Translation: fewer hoops, fewer delays, and maybe – just maybe – fewer patients waiting while insurance companies decide whether a doctor should have ordered a test or not.

USA Today reports that UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest health insurer, said the changes will apply to select outpatient surgeries such as echocardiograms, some outpatient therapies, and certain chiropractic services. The announcement comes after years of criticism that prior-authorization has turned healthcare into a paperwork obstacle course and patients weren’t getting the care that they needed.

According to the American Medical Association, doctors’ offices spend roughly 13 hours every week dealing with prior-authorization requests. Even worse, 93% of physicians surveyed last year said the delays harmed patient care.

Patients have long complained about waiting days or even weeks for approvals while dealing with pain, worsening conditions, or uncertainty. Critics often argue that insurance companies are practicing medicine from behind a desk – armed with spreadsheets instead of stethoscopes.

For now, doctors and patients alike appear ready to celebrate any reduction in the bureaucratic maze.