Having Issues with UHC’s Prior Authorization Process? Fill Out Our Online Form!
How You Can Get Involved:
- If you have experienced issues with the new prior authorization process for UHC Medicare Advantage members, complete the new online Feedback Form.
- Download the UHC Patient Fact Sheet and distribute it to all your UHC Medicare Advantage patients.
- Download the UHC Patient Advocacy Flyer and urge your UHC Medicare Advantage patients to take action!
As we have previously informed you, on September 1, 2024, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) began requiring prior authorization for chiropractic services for their Medicare Advantage members.
The MAC strongly believes that all prior authorization requirements do is delay access to care for patients and increase administrative burden for clinicians. We continue to actively advocate on this issue on your behalf, working with national and other state chiropractic organizations to fight these changes.
Last week, UHC released a document clarifying the prior authorization process and answering some frequently asked questions about the requirements. The MAC Insurance Relations team recommends that all chiropractic offices who serve patients with a UHC Medicare Advantage plan familiarize themselves with this document.
Having Issues? Fill Out the MAC Online Form!
The MAC office has been hearing from offices across the state that are having issues with the UHC prior authorization process. These issues include:
- Delays in PA decisions, causing delays in patient care
- Denials for services that are typically covered by Medicare
If you are experiencing any such issues, please fill out the MAC online Feedback Form. All information collected will be kept confidential. It will only be shared in aggregate form in advocacy efforts to stop UHC’s Medicare Advantage prior authorization requirements.
Patient Fact Sheet and Patient Advocacy Flyer
One way you can help in this effort is to involve your UnitedHealthcare (Optum) patients. We have developed a fact sheet and an advocacy flyer you can distribute to these patients, empowering them to act TODAY! The fact sheet explains the issue, including concrete examples of how it will affect them, and the flyer gives easy-to-follow instructions on how to contact their UHC and ask their plan representative to:
- Respect the treatment plan recommended by my physician and agreed upon by me, without unnecessary delays.
- Do not create barriers to accessing timely and effective care that helps me manage my condition without opioids.
- Stop the prior authorization requirement for chiropractic and other physical therapy care.
The involvement of patients across the state of Michigan and the nation, as well as the chiropractors who provide their care, will be critical to stopping these requirements. For more information, contact the MAC at info@chiromi.com or (517) 367-2225.
