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.

Optum Rx remove reauthorization requirements for 40 drugs starting Jan. 1 to streamline access and expand automated prior authorization.

Optum Rx will reduce reauthorizations on 40 additional medications Jan. 1, surpassing initial goals set out earlier this year. | Optum Rx will reduce reauthorizations on 40 additional medications on Jan.

The massive PBM is pivoting to a cost-based reimbursement model, which it says will reduce variation in how pharmacies are paid. Pharmacy groups say that depends on the specifics of Optum Rx’s plan. Optum Rx is shifting to a new pharmacy reimbursement ...