Curative Scraps Prior Authorization for 86% of MRI Scans

The policy shift targets a glaring disparity in diagnostic imaging costs. While seven out of ten MRIs cost less than $750, a small fraction of scans exceeding $2,000 accounts for nearly half of total spending. Data from 7,334 procedures across Texas, Florida, and Georgia revealed that 42 facilities were responsible for the bulk of these disproportionate charges. Curative intends to keep oversight mechanisms in place specifically for these outliers to ensure that cost management remains data-driven rather than broadly restrictive.

For most patients, the change removes the wait for advance approval, allowing physicians to order scans without undergoing medical-necessity reviews. CEO Fred Turner characterized the move as a balance between simplifying the member experience and curbing inflated pricing. Dr. Brandon Charles, the company’s Chief Medical Officer, emphasized that the review process is being removed entirely for the vast majority of cases rather than being shifted to a different stage of the administrative pipeline. This initiative serves as the first in a series of planned updates to reduce friction within Curative’s coverage network, building on an existing policy that already required fewer prior authorizations for common procedures compared to larger industry competitors.