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Prior Authorization and Notification

STAR+PLUS Alert


We are working diligently with other managed care organizations (MCOs) to electronically transfer prior authorizations for Medicaid members changing on Sept. 1, 2024 from another MCO to us. Once we receive prior authorization data from the other MCO, an authorization will be generated via an automated process and approved prior authorizations will appear in the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal.

For electronic visit verification (EVV) purposes, please continue to use the previous MCO's prior authorization number if a UnitedHealthcare prior authorization number isn't available yet.

Providers can connect with us through chat 24/7 in the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal. For additional contact information, visit our Contact us page. 

If you are a provider in the process of contracting or not currently contracted with us and have questions about prior authorizations, please reach out to us by email at uhc_cp_prov_relations@uhc.com.

We have online tools and resources to help you manage your practice’s notification and prior authorization requests.

To submit and manage your prior authorizations, please sign in to the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal. Additional information on prior authorizations is available on uhcprovider.com/priorauth.

Behavioral Health Services

If you have questions about Behavioral Health Services, please call The Provider Services Line for behavioral health providers at 877-614-0484 or visit: Behavioral Health Prior Authorization Code List by State (providerexpress.com)

What You Need to Know to Submit A Prior Authorization Request 

Prior Authorization Policies 

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas annually reviews our health plan prior authorization policies in accordance with Texas Government Code Section §533.00283. The policies are normally reviewed each October for the previous Texas Health and Human Services fiscal year (Sept. 1 through Aug. 31). For more information, call Customer Service at 888-887-9003.

Health Care Based on Need

Care decisions are based on medical necessity in accordance with care guidelines developed by both UnitedHealthcare and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Services must be outcome-driven, clinically necessary, evidence-based and provided in the least restrictive environment possible. We don’t reward our staff or providers for issuing denials of coverage for service care. Utilization management decision-makers don’t receive financial or other incentives that encourage decisions resulting in underutilization of services.

Emergency medical conditions and emergency behavioral health conditions do not require prior authorization.

Need More Help?

If you have questions about prior authorization please call Customer Service at 888-887-9003, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Central Time.

To check on the status of an existing request, please call our clinical authorization services at 888-887-9003. This is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

If you have pharmacy prior authorization questions, please visit the Pharmacy Resources section or call our Pharmacy Help Desk at 800-310-6826, Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time, with voicemail intake after-hours.

If your patient who is a UnitedHealthcare Community Plan member has questions about prior authorization requirements, they can call one of the following Member Services numbers, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Central Time:

  • STAR+PLUS, STAR and CHIP: 888-887-9003
  • STAR Kids: 877-597-7799
  • UnitedHealthcare Connected (Medicare-Medicaid Plan): 800-256-6533