Utilization Management
The Utilization (UM) Department at Denver Health Medical Plan, Inc. (DHMP) is designed to ensure the delivery of high quality and cost-efficient health care for our members. Services are intended to evaluate and promote high quality and cost-effective care for our insured members, including our large group plans, Medicare Advantage plans, Exchange and CO Option plans, CHP+ and Medicaid Choice plans. One of our goals is to ensure that our members receive the right care, in the right setting, by the right provider. The UM Department aims to achieve the following objectives for all members:
- To assure effective and efficient utilization of facilities and services through an ongoing monitoring and education program. The program is designed to identify patterns of over or under-utilization patterns and inefficient use of resources.
- To assure fair and consistent UM decision-making by using evidence-based, decision support criteria from guidelines such as MCG, Hayes and Denver Health Medical Plan, Inc. Medical Policies.
- To focus resources on a timely resolution of identified problems.
Authorization Process
It’s important to understand the difference between a referral and an authorization – and how to obtain each one.
- A referral is the process of one provider, usually the Primary Care Provider (PCP), sending a patient to another provider (usually a specialist) for consultation or services. If a member needs to see a specialist, they should ask their Denver Health PCP for a referral. *
- An authorization is a process of reviewing requests for health services to make sure the service is both medically necessary and appropriate for the member. The review also determines whether or not the requested service is a covered benefit under the member’s benefit plan.
*For most of our plans, we require the PCP to direct patient care. This means that if a member needs to see a specialist, they should first see their Denver Health PCP. He or she will then refer them to the right specialist to meet their needs. Referrals to other Denver Health providers do not require an authorization, but referrals to providers outside of Denver Health do require an authorization. Please see Services Requiring Prior Authorization for the services that require prior authorization. The exception to this rule applies to commercial plan Point of Service (POS) members who choose to use their First Health Network option. They do not need an authorization to see providers in the First Health Network.
For most of our plans, authorization is required for all services provided outside of Denver Health. Please refer to the member handbooks on this website for details. The services needing authorization include inpatient admissions, durable medical equipment, outpatient specialist services, home health services, skilled nursing facility admissions, and other services. Providers will submit a Prior Authorization Request Form for these services.
Type of Notification | COMM/Elevate (All) | MEDICAID & CHP | MEDICARE (ALL) |
---|---|---|---|
Decisions | |||
Urgent/Concurrent | 24 Hrs. | 72 Hrs. | 72 Hrs. |
Expedited/Urgent Preservice | 72 Hrs. | 72 Hrs. | 72 Hrs. |
Expedited Specialty Rx Part B Drugs | 72 Hrs. | 72 Hrs. | 24 Hrs. |
Standard/Preservice | 15 Calendar Days | 10 Calendar Days | 14 Calendar Days |
Standard Specialty Rx Part B Drugs | 15 Calendar Days | 10 Calendar Days | 72 Hrs. |
Retrospective/Postservice | 30 Calendar Days | 30 Calendar Days | 30 Calendar Days |
Extensions | |||
Urgent/Concurrent | 48 Hrs. | 14 Calendar Days | 14 Calendar Days |
Expedited/Urgent Preservice | 48 Hrs. | 14 Calendar Days | 14 Calendar Days |
Standard/Preservice | 15 Calendar Days | 14 Calendar Days | 14 Calendar Days |
Retrospective/Postservice | 15 Calendar Days | None | None |
Part B Drug | None | None | None |
Type of Notification
Commercial/Elevate (All) Decisions
- Urgent/Concurrent: 24 Hrs.
- Expedited/Urgent Preservice: 72 Hrs.
- Expedited Specialty Rx Part B Drugs: 72 Hrs.
- Standard/Preservice: 15 Calendar Days
- Standard Specialty Rx Part B Drugs: 15 Calendar Days
- Retrospective/Postservice: 30 Calendar Days
Commercial/Elevate (All) Extensions
- Urgent/Concurrent: 48 Hrs.
- Expedited/Urgent Preservice: 48 Hrs.
- Standard/Preservice: 14 Calendar Days
- Retrospective/Postservice: None
Medicaid & CHP Decisions
- Urgent/Concurrent: 72 Hrs.
- Expedited/Urgent Preservice: 72 Hrs.
- Expedited Specialty Rx Part B Drugs: 72 Hrs.
- Standard/Preservice: 10 Calendar Days
- Standard Specialty Rx Part B Drugs: 10 Calendar Days
- Retrospective/Postservice: 30 Calendar Days
Medicaid & CHP Extensions
- Urgent/Concurrent: 14 Calendar Days
- Expedited/Urgent Preservice: 14 Calendar Days
- Standard/Preservice: 14 Calendar Days
- Retrospective/Postservice: None
Medicare (All) Decisions
- Urgent/Concurrent: 72 Hrs.
- Expedited/Urgent Preservice: 72 Hrs.
- Expedited Specialty Rx Part B Drugs: 72 Hrs.
- Standard/Preservice: 14 Calendar Days
- Standard Specialty Rx Part B Drugs: 72 Hrs.
- Retrospective/Postservice: 30 Calendar Days
Medicare (All) Extensions
- Urgent/Concurrent: 14 Calendar Days
- Expedited/Urgent Preservice: 14 Calendar Days
- Standard/Preservice: 14 Calendar Days
- Retrospective/Postservice: None
Communication
Members
Members should contact their physician to initiate an authorization. Health Plan Services is available for members who have questions about existing authorizations.
Contact Health Plan Services by phone | |
---|---|
CHP+ and Commercial Plans | 303-602-2100 (1-Large Group / 2-CHP+) |
Medicaid Choice | 303-602-2116 |
Medicare Choice and Select | 303-602-2111 |
Elevate | 303-602-2090 |
Providers
DHMP Health Plan Services staff is available for UM issues during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. Providers may contact Utilization Management by fax to send authorization requests and clinical information. The DHMP Utilization Management Department can receive faxes seven days a week, including holidays. Please use the Prior Authorization Request Forms.
Contact by fax or phone | |
---|---|
Outpatient fax | 303-602-2128 |
Inpatient Admit and Discharge Notification fax | 303-602-2127 |
Inpatient Clinical Records fax | 303-602-2004 |
Urgent/Expedited fax | 303-602-2160 |
Contact Health Plan Services by phone | 303-602-2100 |
Calls will be returned as soon as possible, but no later than one business day.