August 25, 2023- Cigna Healthcare, the health benefits provider of The Cigna Group, announced the removal of nearly 25 percent of medical services from prior authorization (or precertification) requirements. With the removal of these more than 600 additional codes, the company has now removed prior authorization on more than 1,100 medical services since 2020, with the goal of simplifying the health care experience for both customers and clinicians.
Prior authorization, or precertification, is a review that helps protect patient safety and improve affordability by increasing adherence to evidence-based standards of care. With this update, prior authorization now applies to less than four percent of medical services for most Cigna Healthcare customers, and the company continues to streamline its use to optimize care delivery. Cigna Healthcare will also remove prior authorization for nearly 500 additional codes for Medicare Advantage plans later this year.