United Healthcare announced June 1 they are rolling out a new product in our area effective September 1, 2011 called Navigate. Navigate is an HMO, (the ID cards look the same except for a notation in the bottom right hand corner; Navigate an HMO).

The process which requires new Referrals and Authorizations from the PCP (Primary Care Provider) for ALL services. This product, Navigate, does not have benefits if the process is not followed. Which will leave your patients with an unexpected out of pocket expense.

We are in the process of contacting UHC to find out what the provider enrollment process, if any, will be for our current physicians that accept UHC and what the fee schedule will look like.

Don’t get caught with a pile of denials due to lack of referrals and/or authorizations, be sure to visit our Facebook page for future updates.

Sheila Erwin, CPC