DPAC and DLC Demand Proof, Not Promises, on Prior Authorization Reform

Joint Statement on Insurers’ Pledge to Reform Prior Authorization

June 25, 2025

The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) and Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) appreciatethe recent pledge by major health insurers—including Cigna, Aetna, Humana and UnitedHealthcare—toreform prior authorization processes. While we welcome this long-overdue acknowledgement of theharm caused by bureaucratic barriers, people with diabetes and other chronic conditions cannot affordempty promises.

Prior authorization often delays lifesaving care, jeopardizing patient health and draining provider time.A recent KFF survey found that 16% of patients experienced problems with prior authorization in asingle year—a figure that jumped to 31% for those with frequent doctor visits. For healthcare providers,these bureaucratic hurdles have led to physician burnout and the need to hire more staff.

While any step toward transparency and efficiency for patients is welcome, this pledge lacks the detailsrequired to evaluate its feasibility, effectiveness, or value. DPAC and DLC will be watching to ensurethat these voluntary commitments are translated into tangible action, and we look to the TrumpAdministration to hold insurers accountable.

We urge insurers to engage directly with patient advocacy organizations—not as an afterthought, but aspartners in designing equitable solutions for their communities. DPAC and DLC will persistentlymonitor progress—because affordable, accessible care for all Americans is non-negotiable.

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Joint Statement on Insurers’ Pledge to Reform Prior Authorization

June 25, 2025

The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) and Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) appreciatethe recent pledge by major health insurers—including Cigna, Aetna, Humana and UnitedHealthcare—toreform prior authorization processes. While we welcome this long-overdue acknowledgement of theharm caused by bureaucratic barriers, people with diabetes and other chronic conditions cannot affordempty promises.

Prior authorization often delays lifesaving care, jeopardizing patient health and draining provider time.A recent KFF survey found that 16% of patients experienced problems with prior authorization in asingle year—a figure that jumped to 31% for those with frequent doctor visits. For healthcare providers,these bureaucratic hurdles have led to physician burnout and the need to hire more staff.

While any step toward transparency and efficiency for patients is welcome, this pledge lacks the detailsrequired to evaluate its feasibility, effectiveness, or value. DPAC and DLC will be watching to ensurethat these voluntary commitments are translated into tangible action, and we look to the TrumpAdministration to hold insurers accountable.

We urge insurers to engage directly with patient advocacy organizations—not as an afterthought, but aspartners in designing equitable solutions for their communities. DPAC and DLC will persistentlymonitor progress—because affordable, accessible care for all Americans is non-negotiable.