Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) and Dr. Mehmet Oz announced an agreement with major health insurers on June 23, 2025, to reform the prior authorization process, aiming to reduce care delays and complications nationwide.

Major health insurers, including UnitedHealthcare and CVS Health's Aetna, have pledged to scale back prior authorization requirements, standardize processes, and expedite response times. Prior authorization, where insurers require approval before covering medical care, prescriptions, or services, has been criticized for causing delays and complications in patient care. Insurers defend the practice as a measure to prevent overuse and ensure appropriate treatment.

According to the announcement, insurers plan to reduce the scope of claims subject to prior authorization and expand real-time responses. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid chief, Dr. Mehmet Oz, hailed the voluntary agreement as a 'good start'.

The move comes amid growing concerns that prior authorization practices have become overly burdensome, leading to delayed or denied care. Patient advocacy groups and healthcare providers have long called for reforms to streamline the process and reduce administrative burdens.

This agreement could lead to improved patient access to timely care and reduced administrative costs for healthcare providers. However, the long-term impact will depend on the extent to which insurers fully implement the pledged reforms and whether the changes result in tangible improvements in patient outcomes.