The parent company of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan is updating prior authorization for home health services as it conducts a larger review of its requirements.
Point32Health said in an April 2 news release that home care services will not require utilization management for the first 30 days after one of the company's commercial beneficiaries is discharged from a hospital. The change goes into effect April 12.
After the initial 30 days, prior authorization will be required for continuation of coverage.
Point32Health Chief Medical Officer Glenn Pomerantz, MD, said in the release that although prior authorizations are an important tool in helping keep medical costs as low as possible, "we do not want them to be an impediment."
"This program is just the start of a larger review we are conducting as we seek new and innovative ways to partner more closely with [the] provider community, while doing all we can to contain costs and make healthcare both more affordable and accessible," Dr. Pomerantz said.