Pre-authorization is plan approval for coverage of specific services, supplies, or prescription drugs before they are provided to the member. Your provider must request a pre-authorization for services on the UMP pre-authorization lists.
The plan must pre-authorize some medical services and supplies to determine whether the service or supply meets the plan’s medical necessity criteria to be covered. The fact that a service or supply is prescribed or furnished by a provider does not, by itself, make it a medically necessary covered service. A change after the plan has approved a pre-authorization request, including, but not limited to, a change of provider or different/additional services, requires you to submit a new pre-authorization request and for the plan to approve it.
Pre-authorization is not a guarantee of coverage. If you or your provider do not receive pre-authorization for certain medical services or prescription drugs, the plan may deny the claim.
- Understand your treatment options and any related risks
- Ensure that planned treatment is a covered benefit and medically necessary (or appropriate)
- Avoid inappropriate or unnecessary medical treatment
- Save unnecessary out-of-pocket costs by guiding you to the approved service or vendor
Visit the Claims & appeals page to learn how to appeal the denial of a pre-authorization request before receiving services.
Your provider should know which procedures require pre-authorization and can submit a pre-authorization request on your behalf. If a provider does not get pre-authorization before treating you, your plan will not cover those costs and the provider may bill you for that treatment. The plan does not approve or deny pre-authorization for services that are not on the UMP pre-authorization lists.
See what services require pre-authorization.
To learn more about pre-authorization for medical services, you can read the Limits on plan coverage section in your plan's certificate of coverage or call UMP Customer Service.
The plan will respond to standard preauthorization requests submitted by contracted providers within 5 days of receipt for non-electronic requests and within 3 days of receipt for electronic requests. For expedited preauthorization requests, the plan will respond within 1 to 2 days of receipt. If additional information is required, the plan will notify the provider within the timelines described in this section. You will also be notified of the decision.
If your provider believes that waiting for a decision under the standard preauthorization timeframe could place your life, health, or ability to regain maximum function in serious danger, they can request an expedited preauthorization request.
“Pre-authorization” means your provider must request that UMP cover a service on the UMP pre-authorization lists, and the plan sends either an approval or denial of coverage. If the plan does not approve services that require pre-authorization before the services are provided, the plan may deny coverage.
“Plan notification” means that your provider must contact the plan to let us know when you receive services. Notification is usually done by the facility at the time you receive these services.
Your prescription drug benefits are managed by Washington State Rx Services (WSRxS). For information on pre-authorization for prescription drugs covered under your prescription drug benefit, visit the Prescription drugs webpage, contact WSRxS or check the UMP Preferred Drug List. Information on pre-authorization for drugs covered under your medical benefit is discussed below. WSRxS will respond to standard preauthorization requests submitted by contracted providers within 5 days of receipt for non-electronic requests and within 3 days of receipt for electronic requests. If your provider believes that waiting for a decision under the standard preauthorization timeframe could place your life, health, or ability to regain maximum function in serious danger, they can request an expedited preauthorization request. For expedited preauthorization requests, the plan will respond within 1 to 2 days of receipt. If additional information is required, the plan will notify the provider within the timelines described in this section. You will also be notified of the decision. For more information, please refer to the certificate of coverage.
The Washington State Health Technology Clinical Committee (HTCC) was created to make coverage determinations for selected health technologies based on the available scientific evidence. The purpose of this committee is to ensure medical treatments and services paid for with state health care dollars are safe and proven effective.
The HTCC is an independent committee of health care practitioners that reviews evidenced-based reports and makes a determination on whether the state should cover select medical devices, procedures, or tests.
Under state law, the plan must comply with an HTCC determination. Learn more about the HTCC, HTCC services or see the HTCC’s current and past health technology reviews.
Learn about policies that affect your care:
- UMP Drug Policy Part 1 and UMP Drug Policy Part 2
- Regence medical policies
- Carelon Medical Benefits Management (Radiology and Sleep)
UMP covers certain drugs under your medical benefit, usually called provider-administered drugs. These drugs typically require a health care provider to administer them, which makes them different from drugs that you pick up at your retail pharmacy or have delivered to your home. You may receive most provider-administered drugs from a standalone infusion site, doctor’s office, at your home (home infusion), or at some outpatient hospital facilities.
Certain conditions have drug treatment options available under both your prescription drug benefit (self-administered drugs) and medical benefit (provider-administered drugs). Examples include multiple sclerosis and chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. In some cases, you may have to try certain self-administered drugs before the plan will cover certain provider-administered drugs. Contact UMP Customer Service for assistance accessing appropriate therapy when there are options under both the medical and prescription drug benefits.
The UMP Medical Preferred Drug List includes preferred and non-preferred provider-administered drugs for certain drug classes available through the medical benefit. This list will help you and your provider identify drugs that are safe and effective, and have the greatest savings for you.
Some provider-administered drugs need pre-authorization to determine whether they are medically necessary and meet clinical criteria, or the plan will not cover them. Find out if your drug needs pre-authorization and review coverage criteria by calling UMP Customer Service or by checking online. If your drug needs pre-authorization, please contact your provider. They will obtain pre-authorization on your behalf.
Some provider-administered drugs can be administered in more than one place. Preferred sites of care can offer more flexibility, comfort, convenience, and reduced cost. If you receive infusion drugs and have UMP Achieve 1, UMP Achieve 2, or UMP High Deductible, be sure to get treatment at an approved site of care. Approved sites of care can include standalone infusion sites, doctor’s offices, home infusion, and some outpatient hospital facilities. Infusion drugs must be pre-authorized by the plan before you get treatment. Call UMP Customer Service for a list of drugs included in the site-of-care program or for help finding an approved site of care near you.
Centers of Excellence (COE) offers a total knee and hip replacement bundle and lumbar fusion bundle for low to no cost to qualifying UMP members. The COEs use evidence-based best practices as recommended by the Bree Collaborative.
Getthefactsrx.com features the Starts with One campaign, which is designed to inform and educate young adults, their parents, and older adults about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of safe storage, use, and disposal. This campaign is funded by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA).
WA Tribal Opioid Solutions provides educational resources for Tribes and tribal organizations working to address opioid prevention, and overdose response and treatment. This campaign is funded by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA).
WSRxS does not provide BlueCross BlueShield services and is a separate company solely responsible for its product/services.