- UnitedHealthcare suspended some prior authorization requirements for in-network hospitals and in-network skilled nursing facilities, according to the insurer’s webpage on its prior authorization updates during the pandemic.
- The provision suspends prior authorization requirements for hospital or practice transfers. The policy may vary by state, depending on regulatory requirements. It also replaces similar temporary prior authorization provisions for SNF admissions, facility transfers, and COVID-19-related oxygen requests, unless the similar provisions extend to higher levels of care or expires later than the new suspension does.
- The suspension is effective December 18, 2020, through January 31, 2021. The change affects hospitals and SNFs that are in network with UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, individual and group health plans.
- After January 31, UnitedHealthcare said it may retrospectively review certain services that were given during the suspension period. “Admission notification is still required during this time, in alignment with the current protocol to support you in arranging post-admission care or other support services, if needed,” the insurer said.
- To streamline operations for providers, UnitedHealthcare extending prior authorization timeframes for open and approved authorizations and suspending prior authorization requirements for many services.