UnitedHealth to require doctors to get authorization before performing most types of procedure; decision marks another blow to laparoscopic power morcellator, which can spread hidden cancer Many hospitals have stopped using the morcellator, a surgical device that was found to spread hidden cancer in some women undergoing hysterectomies. The nation's largest health insurer is imposing tighter controls on its coverage for hysterectomies after more than a year of debate over a medical device that was found to spread hidden cancer in some women undergoing the procedure.