The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has reiterated its concerns regarding UnitedHealthcare’s policies related to gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures. On December 20, AGA issued a statement objecting to UnitedHealthcare’s advance notification program for gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures and its proposed gold card prior authorization program planned for 2024.
Key Points from the Article:
- Policy Changes by UnitedHealthcare: UnitedHealthcare launched its advance notification policy in June. The AGA had previously expressed concerns about these changes in July and sent a letter to UnitedHealthcare in August seeking clarification on the policy and the gold card program.
- AGA’s Stance: The AGA has strongly objected to the implementation of UnitedHealthcare’s prior authorization program for GI procedures in 2024. The association cites a lack of transparency, inadequate justification, and potential negative impacts on patient care as reasons for their opposition.
- Call for Reconsideration: The AGA has urged UnitedHealthcare to reconsider its policies, emphasizing the need for clarity for patients and providers. They are calling for the reversal of plans to impose a prior authorization policy for colonoscopies and endoscopies in 2024.
- UnitedHealthcare’s Response: A spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare stated that they have not made any changes to their policy regarding screening colonoscopies for preventive care and have not announced any plans to introduce prior authorization for non-screening GI procedures in 2024.
In summary, the AGA is actively voicing its concerns and seeking clarification from UnitedHealthcare regarding its policies on gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures. The association is advocating for the reversal of the proposed changes to ensure patient care is not adversely affected.