The update builds on Optum Rx's recently announced commitment to eliminate certain reauthorizations to make prescription drugs more accessible and support better health outcomes. So far this year, Optum Rx has eliminated reauthorization requirements for more than 140 chronic disease medications.
“Chronic conditions affect about 60% of Americans and are the leading cause of death in the United States,” said Sumit Dutta, M.D., chief medical officer, Optum Rx. “Eliminating reauthorization requirements for established and effective treatments underscores our commitment to make these needed drugs more accessible, which also supports better health outcomes.”
Details
The newly added medications include treatments for seven chronic conditions, like behavioral health, HIV, dry eye disease, high cholesterol and hypertension.
Our independent Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, which is guided by a clinical-first mindset and deep health care expertise to evaluate drugs based on clinical rigor and evidence, identified these additional drugs for which reauthorizations would provide minimal value. This committee, composed of practicing physicians and pharmacists, conducts unbiased, evidence-based evaluations of new and existing medications.
What’s next
Optum Rx will continue to work with physicians and pharmacists to expand the list of eligible medications over time.
Since January 2025, Optum Rx has announced multiple actions aimed at transparently improving and modernizing pharmacy care, including:
100% pass-through of negotiated manufacturer rebates to clients
Reimbursement to pharmacies more aligned to their acquisition costs and reduction in drug reauthorization requirements
To learn more about Optum Rx’s efforts to improve transparency and make the health care system work better, please visit Optum Rx Transparency - UnitedHealth Group.
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