CVS Health's Aetna to streamline cancer treatment approvals

CVS Health operates health insurer Aetna, a retail pharmacy chain and a pharmacy benefit manager, Caremark.

A survey sponsored by CVS showed 74% of providers identified administrative burden as a top challenge for clinicians, with 31% citing prior authorizations as the largest factor.

AHIP, an insurance industry trade group, in 2025 led industry-wide commitments to reduce the number of medical services requiring approval, standardize electronic submissions across insurers and speed up responses.

Rival UnitedHealthcare, part of UnitedHealth Group UNH.N, has said it will eliminate about 30% of its prior authorization requirements across its insurance business, while Humana has pledged to eliminate 33% of prior authorizations for outpatient services.

Providers can submit the approvals to Aetna through one online portal, Guerraz said, reducing time spent on approvals for providers and boosting response times.