UnitedHealthcare announced it will significantly reduce prior authorization requirements for pediatric medical services, removing two-thirds of such requirements for members under age 18 by the end of the year.

The insurance company's decision represents a major scaling back of the prior authorization process, which has faced criticism from physicians who argue it creates unnecessary barriers to timely medical care for patients.

Prior authorization is a process where insurance companies require healthcare providers to obtain approval before delivering certain treatments, procedures, or medications. Critics in the medical community have long argued that these requirements can delay necessary care and create administrative burdens.

The move by UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation's largest health insurers, follows broader industry discussions about streamlining healthcare delivery and reducing administrative obstacles between patients and their medical care.

The company indicated this change is part of its ongoing efforts to address concerns raised by healthcare providers about the authorization process and its impact on patient care delivery.