UnitedHealthcare Offers Special Enrollment & Reduces Administrative Requirements to Improve Access to Care & Coverage in Resp...
March 24 2020 - 12:35PM
Business Wire
Company launches a special enrollment period
for some of its existing commercial customers, reduces prior
authorization requirements for providers and expands
telehealth
UnitedHealthcare announced today several updates to its programs
in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. In addition to
previously announced telehealth and virtual care expansion, the
company will open a special enrollment period for some of its
existing commercial customers to enable people to get coverage for
their health care needs. The company is also further easing
administrative requirements to access care through reduced prior
authorization requirements.
“UnitedHealthcare is committed to helping people access health
care to the fullest extent possible as we come together to address
this national emergency,” said UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive
Officer Dirk McMahon. “We will continue to help people get coverage
for the care they need, as well as ease care provider and health
system administrative burdens.”
Access to Coverage – Special Enrollment Period
UnitedHealthcare is easing contractual requirements for its
fully-insured and level-funded customers to offer a special
COVID-19 enrollment opportunity to allow employees who did not opt
in for coverage during the regular enrollment period to get
coverage. The enrollment period will be open from March 23, 2020,
to April 6, 2020. Self-funded customers may choose to amend their
eligibility requirements to align with this special enrollment
period at their discretion. Customers can contact their broker,
consultant or sales representative to speak to them about the
special enrollment period.
Reduced Prior Authorization Requirements
UnitedHealthcare continues to adopt measures that will reduce
administrative burden for physicians and facilities to help members
more easily access the care they need. This includes:
- Suspension of prior authorization requirements to a post-acute
care setting through May 31, 2020; and
- Suspension of prior authorization requirements when a member
transfers to a new provider through May 31, 2020.
We will temporarily suspend or relax additional policies as
needed in regions where inpatient capacity is most compromised and
most at risk. Providers should consult www.UHCprovider.com for
specifics on UnitedHealthcare policies and guidelines.
Access to Testing and Medical Care
During this national emergency, UnitedHealthcare will continue
to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing provided at approved
locations in accordance with the CDC guidelines. In addition, the
company will waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing related
visits, whether the care is received in a physician’s office, a
telehealth visit, an urgent care center or an emergency department.
This coverage applies to commercial, Medicare Advantage and
Medicaid members.
Access to Telehealth
To increase system access and flexibility when it is needed
most, UnitedHealthcare is expanding its telehealth policies to make
it easier for people to connect with their health care provider
from home. People will have access to telehealth services in two
ways:
Designated Telehealth Partners –
Medicare Advantage and Medicaid members can continue to access
their existing telehealth benefit offered through one of
UnitedHealthcare’s designated partners without cost-sharing.
Cost-sharing for commercial members will be waived through June 18,
2020. Self-insured customers may choose to opt out.
Expanded Provider Telehealth Access –
Through June 18, 2020, eligible medical providers who have the
ability and want to connect with their patient through synchronous
virtual care (live video-conferencing) can do so. Except for the
waiver of cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing related visits,
benefits will be processed in accordance with the member’s
plan.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier
lives and making the health system work better for everyone by
simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and
wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care
providers. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full
spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and
Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with
more than 1.3 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500
hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. The company also
provides health benefits and delivers care to people through owned
and operated health care facilities in South America.
UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group
(NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more
information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @UHC
on Twitter.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200324005591/en/
Matt Wiggin UnitedHealthcare (860) 702-6142
matthew_n_wiggin@uhc.com
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