SummaCare bases utilization management (UM) decisions on reasonable medical evidence and consensus of relevant healthcare professionals. Clinical decisions about each request for service are based on the clinical features of the individual case and the medical necessity criteria.
SummaCare uses medical necessity criteria to help determine the appropriateness of the care or service. The SummaCare Medical Policy Committee reviews and approves the development of UM criteria. The Medical Policy Committee consists of primary care and specialty physicians/practitioners who currently provide direct patient care. The SummaCare Medical Policy Committee reviews and updates medical criteria for UM decision making on an annual basis. SummaCare approved criteria include, but are not limited to:
SummaCare is sensitive to the risks of underutilization of care and service which include inappropriate or delayed treatment, preventable contraction of disease, extended duration and/or exacerbation of symptoms, undetected progression of disease, misdiagnosis, impaired quality of life, permanent loss of function and preventable death. For this reason, SummaCare distributes annually, an affirmative statement to all of its practitioners, providers, staff and members regarding its incentives to encourage appropriate utilization and discourage underutilization.
SummaCare does not reward physicians/practitioners or other individuals conducting utilization review for issuing denials of coverage. UM decision-making is based only on the existence of coverage and appropriateness of care and service. Financial incentives for UM decision makers do not encourage decisions that result in underutilization (e.g. SummaCare does not use incentives to encourage barriers to care and service). SummaCare does not make decisions regarding hiring, promoting or terminating its practitioners or other individuals conducting utilization review based upon the likelihood or perceived likelihood that the individual will support or tend to support the denial of benefits.
Several factors can delay or even prevent the authorization of care of services. These include late referrals, missing referrals, referrals to out-of-network practitioners/providers and incomplete clinical data. Your provider’s efforts to avoid these pitfalls will improve your satisfaction and allow the processing of your care authorizations to progress smoothly.
SummaCare receives routine and expedited/urgent request to authorize services from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 330.996.8710 or 888.996.8710 (TDD/TTY 800.750.0750). SummaCare maintains an incoming fax line available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year dedicated to receiving incoming authorization requests. Routine requests to authorize services can be faxed to 234.542.0815 using the Prior Authorization Request Form for services.
For urgent/expedited request, call 330.996.8710 or 888.996.8710 (TDD/TTY 800.750.0750).
SummaCare also maintains a voice mailbox to receive requests for authorizations outside of regular business hours. Communications received after normal business hours are returned on the next business day and communications received after midnight on Monday through Friday are responded to on the same business day. Language assistance is available free of charge, for members to discuss issues or questions related to authorizations or utilization management.
Members may obtain a copy of the benefit provision or the medical necessity criteria used in making a determination. To request the information, or if you have any questions regarding SummaCare’s Utilization Management program, please call SummaCare Customer Service at 330.996.8700 or 800.996.8701. A Customer Service representative will direct your questions to the appropriate Utilization Management personnel.
Medical necessity criteria is also available upon request for your provider. Physicians/Practitioners may speak to a Medical Director regarding decisions based on medical necessity by calling 330.996.8775 or 888.996.8775. For general utilization management questions, your provider may call Provider Support Services at 330.996.8400 or 800.996.8401 or email contactproviderservices@summacare.com.