At Innovative Care Management, our primary
concern is that the our clients' enrollees receive the highest
quality care at the most manageable cost. The first step towards
this goal is taken in our Preauthorization and Utilization
Management program. The medical review process of this department
allows us to provide a number of services helpful to both the
patient and our client, such as:
-
Patient Advocacy - In every situation, we want
patients to receive the treatment they need. We make a strong
effort
to help patients know what questions to ask their doctor,
encourage communication between their care providers, and
even help coordinate
care so that patients receive the treatment and medical
equipment they need, when they need it.
-
Medical Necessity
Determinations - Through our review process, we are able
to make certain that expensive procedures
and services are the most appropriate treatment for a patient to receive,
and that there are no better alternatives.
-
Preferred
Provider Verification - As a part of the process, we always
confirm that a preferred provider is being
used if possible. Most benefit plans have a preferred provider network
that could help the patient by providing a discounted
rate for services and possibly a higher benefit rate if used.
-
Plan Exclusion
Identification - A number of benefit plans have exclusions
for certain procedures, and as a part
of our review process, we can check on the patient's benefits, and give notification
prior to a procedure of any potential problems
with coverage.
-
High Risk Screening - While reviewing
procedures, we are always
trying to identify patients who may have high-risk
diagnoses, so that we may refer them to one of our other programs
in which they can receive personal attention from one of our nurses
to ensure that they are receiving the treatment
they need, and taking preventative measures to reduce the risk of future
complications.
-
New Technology
Research - In
cases where new or experimental procedures or technology
are requested, we
will research information and determine if it is medically appropriate and covered
under
the benefit plan.
What to Do
When one of your patient's is in need of a procedure, treatment,
or piece of medical, call our office at 1-800-862-3338 to see
if preauthorization is required. At the time of your call,
please have the following information available to expedite
the process:
-
Patient's Full Name
-
Member ID Number
-
Subscriber's Full Name
-
Group Name / Name of the Employer
or Union Local that supplies the insurance
-
Group Number
-
Patient Address and Phone Number
-
Patient Date of Birth
-
Diagnosis with ICD-9 codes
-
Procedure with CPT codes
-
Name of Facility
-
Name of Doctor
-
Date of Service (if scheduled)
-
Copy of Insurance Card
-
Chart Notes / Clinical Information
Often we are able to give a preauthorization number immediately
at the time of your call. Otherwise, we may require clinical
information to be faxed to our office for review, in which
case we will call your office back with the preauthorization
number. At ICM, we maintain the strictest standards in our
Utilization Management department, and under most circumstances
will have a response within 2 business days or less.