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October 01, 2024

October monthly overview

Network News is published twice a month. See updates below.

October 1 publication

Policy and protocol updates

Medical policy updates
Medical policy updates for October 2024 for the following plans: Medicare, Medicaid, Exchanges and commercial.

Reimbursement policy updates
See the latest updates for reimbursement policies. 

Specialty Medical Injectable Drug program updates
See the latest updates to requirements for Specialty Medical Injectable Drugs for UnitedHealthcare members. 

Pharmacy and clinical updates
Access upcoming new or revised clinical programs and implementation dates for UnitedHealthcare plans.


State news

Jan. 1: Electronic reconsideration submissions required 
Health care professionals must submit Medicaid claim reconsideration submissions electronically in Arizona.

New radiation therapy requirements for Rocky Mountain Health Plans
On Jan. 1, some UnitedHealthcare requirements and criteria will apply to Rocky Mountain Health Plans.

Dec. 1: Electronic reconsideration and appeal submissions required 
Health care professionals must submit Medicaid medical reconsiderations and appeals electronically in Louisiana and Pennsylvania.

Minnesota Medicaid: Your claims may be denied if you’re not enrolled before Oct. 1
See how to avoid claim denials if you’re contracted with a Medicaid MCO or have recently billed as an MCO network provider.

Missouri Medicaid: New state communications portal now available
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan and Missouri partner to launch portal, enhancing Medicaid communication.

New Jersey: Complete survey to avoid credentialing denials
New Jersey care providers are required to complete survey forms to avoid denied credentialing applications.

New York Medicaid: Update your data in My Practice Profile or CAQH
Help patients and other health care professionals find your practice faster by updating your demographic data.


Plan and program updates

New 2025 Individual Exchange plans and prior authorization information
On Jan. 1, 2025, we'll launch Individual Exchange plans in 4 new states. Learn more.

2025 Medicare Advantage service area changes
On Jan. 1, 2025, we’re making changes to some UnitedHealthcare® Medicare Advantage service areas.


Prior authorization changes

Medicare: Part B step therapy prior authorization requirements 
For dates of service starting Jan. 1, 2025, prior authorization is required for Part B Step Therapy Program medications.


Miscellaneous news

See the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal updates that matter to you and your role
View the most recent changes to the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal.  

Register certain tests for phase 3 of the DEX Z-Codes
Starting Oct. 1, you can register tests that are in scope for phase 3 of the DEX Z-Codes®.

Highlight cultural competencies on your My Practice Profile
Help patients make informed care decisions by updating your practice profile.

Want to save up to $7 and 17 minutes per transaction?  
Learn how and when to contact us and use our digital tools for maximum efficiency.


October 17 publication

State news

Arizona Medicaid: Be prepared for online VCP statements and claim letters, starting Nov. 8
Beginning Nov. 8, 2024, we’ll no longer mail VCP statements and claim letters to most medical network health care professionals and facilities for UnitedHealthcare Community Plans in Arizona.

California: Respond quickly to medical records requests
California UnitedHealthcare commercial plan care providers must respond to medical records requests.

Louisiana and Pennsylvania Medicaid: Claim letters will no longer be mailed starting Nov. 8
As of Nov. 8, 2024, some Louisiana and Pennsylvania Medicaid claim-related letters will go paperless.

We're now covering certified doula services
Doula services will be covered under the UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio.


UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal updates

Update your UHC Provider Portal sign-in methods before March 1
A security update to the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal is coming soon. This will affect how you sign in to the portal and gain access if you’re ever locked out.


Surest plan webinar registration

Join our Oct. 24 webinar to learn about the Surest resources migrating to UnitedHealthcare
Get all the information you need about Surest benefit plans, including verifying variable copays, updates to the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal, and the migration to UHC platforms. 


Requirement and process updates

Annual interim rate letter submission reminder
Submit your new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) interim rate letter to ensure correct billing.

Learn more about Medicare outpatient therapies and chiropractic prior authorization requirements
As of Sept. 1, 2024, prior authorization is required for physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy (ST) and chiropractic services delivered in office and outpatient hospital settings.

View the NOMNC determination and delivery
You need to complete the NOMNC process according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines.


Preventive resources

POS edit to prevent therapeutic duplication of GLP-1 medications
As of Nov. 1, 2024, we're adding GLP-1 agonists to the concurrent drug utilization review for Individual Exchange plans.

Help patients who suffer with opioid use disorder
Update your information to let patients know your practice offers medications for opioid use disorder.


Announcements

Surest plan-related documents moving to UHC Provider Portal

Starting Nov. 1, you’ll begin seeing Surest plan documents in the portal as a member’s plan renews; they’ll no longer be mailed.

Find out more Surest plan-related documents moving to UHC Provider Portal

Want to decrease claim denials?

Our Coding Corner self-paced courses have enhanced content and a new look. Explore them to help improve coding accuracy.

Access the trainings Want to decrease claim denials?

Electronic submission required for claim reconsiderations and appeals

Submission process now takes less time and provides easier access to the information you need.

Get the details Electronic submission required for claim reconsiderations and appeals

Document Library’s Advanced Search function got an upgrade

Search results now show partial and exact matches to help narrow down content when a document can’t be found. 

Get more details Document Library’s Advanced Search function got an upgrade

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