UnitedHealthcare Prior Authorization

UnitedHealthcare publishes service-specific prior authorization guidance. Start with the payer resource below, then confirm the member's plan and the requested service before care is scheduled or submitted.

At a glance

• UnitedHealthcare’s official provider materials direct providers to use the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal to verify whether prior authorization is required, submit requests, upload attachments, and check status. The 2026 administrative guide also lists EDI 278/278N and telephonic submission where permitted; some plans keep fax capability because of state requirements, but providers can still use the portal for those plans.
• Requirements vary by plan type and by service category.
• Some services are excluded from the general commercial notification/prior-authorization workflow in the administrative guide.
• State rules may require fax capability for some plans, but the portal remains usable for submission where noted.
• The 2026 guide indicates updates by plan effective dates, so providers should confirm the member's specific plan tab before submitting.

Where to verify prior authorization requirements

• Verification resource 1
• Verification resource 2

How to submit prior authorization requests

• UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal

• EDI 278 / 278N

• Phone where telephonic submission is permitted

• Fax for some plans where required by state rule

• Submission resource 1

• Submission resource 2

• Submission resource 3

• Submission resource 4

Information commonly required

• Member ID card
• Member information checked by member first in the portal for the most accurate response
• Clinical/medical notes or attachments when needed
• Facility admission/notification details when applicable
• Request type and service details

Turnaround notes and caveats

• Official sources reviewed do not state a universal prior-authorization turnaround time.
• For some portal/telephonic functions, business hours are listed in the 2026 guide; portal availability is generally 24/7, subject to maintenance windows.
• For expedited/urgent handling or response standards, refer to the specific plan or Participation Agreement if applicable.
• Requirements vary by plan type and by service category.
• Some services are excluded from the general commercial notification/prior-authorization workflow in the administrative guide.
• State rules may require fax capability for some plans, but the portal remains usable for submission where noted.
• The 2026 guide indicates updates by plan effective dates, so providers should confirm the member's specific plan tab before submitting.

Provider resources

• UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal (official)
• 2026 UnitedHealthcare Care Provider Administrative Guide (official)
• Advance Notification and Prior Authorization requirements (official)
• Pre- and post-service appeals and reconsiderations (official)
• Reduce claim returns and rework (official)
• Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) (official)
• Document Library (official)

Sources