As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, some temporary policies adopted by insurers in response to the health emergency are ending while others are being extended. UnitedHealthcare recently extended its higher reimbursement rate for telehealth, while several Indiana Medicaid policies will be updated.

IHCP updating COVID-19 policy changes, FAQs

The Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) has updated several temporary Indiana Medicaid policy changes related to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).

BT202072: IHCP announced on June 11 that the managed care timely filing period would return to 90 days on July 15. It had been extended to 180 days after the COVID-19 PHE began. 
BT202075: IHCP also announced that asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related metered dose inhalers would resume their pre-COVID-19 preference status.
COVID-19 policy FAQs: IHCP updated these on June 11.

Upcoming IHCP changes

On June 18, IHCP issued a bulletin saying it plans to update temporary Indiana Medicaid policy changes covered in the following IHCP bulletins, but no further information was given.

BT202031: Prior authorization requirements for certain durable medical equipment and home medical equipment.
BT202040: Home health prior authorization and telemedicine.
BT202046: Prior authorization requirements for long-term acute care and
acute inpatient rehabilitation facility admissions.
BT202047: Skilled nursing facility prior authorization requirements for managed care health plans.

UHC extends expanded telehealth reimbursement 

As reported last week, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) announced it is extending the temporary expansion of telehealth reimbursement through Sept. 30, 2020, for certain markets and plans. This would allow for providers to be reimbursed for telehealth visits at parity with the rate they would receive for an in-person visit. UHC also announced it is extending telehealth cost share waivers. 

Keep track of which temporary measures are expiring and which ones UHC is extending with UHC’s updated Summary of COVID-19 Dates by Program.