Neurosurgery Urges UHC to Scrap Onerous Prior Auth Policy for Spine Surgery

On June 23, the AANS, the CNS and the and the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves (DSPN), sent a letter to UnitedHealthcare (UHC) expressing opposition to a new policy for the surgical treatment of spinal conditions. Per the new policy, UHC intends to require the operating surgeon or office staff to upload radiographic studies as a condition for obtaining prior authorization. The letter emphasizes that the policy will adversely affect patients’ timely access to care and provide no additional useful information to UHC.

Click here to read the letter.