UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield and other health insurers plan fixes to prioer authorization, a common source of consumer complaints.

Prior authorization requires a medical provider to receive approval from an insurer before treating patients or prescribing medication. Without prior authorization, insurers can refuse to pay for treatment or medication.

Dozens of health insurance companies pledged on Monday to improve prior authorization, a process often used to deny care. The announcement comes months after the killing of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson,