US departments of Labor, Health and Human Services expand efforts to help employees access health benefits

WASHINGTON - The departments of Labor and Health and Human Services announced that representatives from several large employers with self-insured health plans signed a statement of support for the expansion of electronic prior authorization reform to the self-insured markets.

"The departments appreciate these U.S. companies for stepping forward to collaborate with Labor and Health and Human Services to help employees cut through red tape and receive their health benefits," said Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security Daniel Aronowitz. "By signing this statement of support for the expansion of electronic prior authorization reform, government and private industry are working together on behalf of the American workforce."

Signed by five delegates from Amazon, Axon Enterprise Inc., Google, Meta, and Oracle Corp., the statement supports the June 2025 Prior Authorization Pledge , which contains six key reforms, including standardizing all prior authorization submissions, reducing the volume of medical procedures that require preapproval, and making sure medical professionals review all clinical denials. It also asks third party administrators to enhance transparency and communication around authorization decisions and appeals.

"Patients and doctors shouldn't have to fall back on faxes and paperwork simply because of how a patient's health plan is funded," said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. "We've brought insurers, providers, and technology companies to the table to modernize prior authorization, and now employers are helping us take another important step. When the entire healthcare system moves together, we can spend less time on paperwork and more time getting patients the care they need."

Over the past year, the Trump Administration and industry partners have implemented electronic prior authorization reforms. In 2025, leading insurance companies signed the Prior Authorization Pledge to improve the process for their Medicare Advantage, Medicaid Managed Care, Health Insurance Marketplace, and commercial plans.

Read the employer statement of support.