Wheelchair authorizations: request only the duration needed

When submitting wheelchair authorization requests for our members, our utilization management team asks that you now request only the duration you anticipate the member will need based on their condition – and include the member’s clinical evaluation / documentation with your request.  

Submitting this way, rather than requesting the full allowed amount for the capped rental in all cases, will:

  • Streamline medical necessity reviews
  • Ensure authorizations better align with our members’ clinical needs
  • Reduce partial denials

When you submit a wheelchair authorization request for the full capped rental allowed duration, we’ll review as follows:

  • If the order is for a shorter duration or the member has an acute injury with expected recovery in a few months, we issue partial approvals for three months.
  • If the wheelchair is still needed beyond that, we ask that providers submit a new authorization with updated clinical documentation.