Prior Authorization

Prior authorization lookup tool

NEW! Submit authorizations electronically

AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana offers our providers access to Medical Authorizations for electronic authorization inquiries and submission. The Medical Authorizations portal is accessed through NaviNet and is located on the Workflows menu.

In addition to submitting and inquiring on existing authorizations, you will also be able to:

  • Verify if no authorization is required
  • Receive auto-approvals, in some circumstances
  • Submit an amended authorization
  • Attach supplemental documentation
  • Sign up for in-app status-change notifications directly from the health plan
  • Access a multi-payer authorization log
  • Submit inpatient concurrent reviews online if you have Health Information Exchange (HIE) capabilities (Fax is no longer required.)
  • Review inpatient admission notifications and provide supporting clinical documentation

Prior authorization and referral updates

  • PCP to in-network specialists — no referral is required.
  • Changes have been made to the Prior Authorization Service List (XLSX), in accordance with LA Rev Stat § 46:460.54, effective for dates of service March 1, 2021 and after.

Medication requiring prior authorization

  • Drugs requiring prior authorization or having any other restrictions are identified on the Louisiana Medicaid Single PDL (Fee For Service and Managed Care Organizations) (PDF).
  • The LDH single PDL describes how medications are covered if the member were to receive them from an actual pharmacy. If the medication is normally administered by a health care professional and is reimbursed through “buy and bill,” then the prior authorization requirements listed in the printable and searchable formulary may not apply. If you have questions about drug coverage, please call 1-800-684-5502.
  • Drugs administered by physician or outpatient hospitals on the Louisiana Medicaid Fee Schedule will be reimbursed. Use the Prior authorization lookup tool above to see if a code requires authorization.

Services requiring prior authorization

*Prior authorization for CT scans, MRIs/MRAs, nuclear cardiology services and other radiology codes is required for outpatient services only. Please use the Prior authorization lookup tool above to see if a code requires authorization. The ordering provider is responsible for obtaining a prior authorization number for the study requested.

Patient symptoms, past clinical history, and prior treatment information will be requested and should be available at the time of the call. (Outpatient studies ordered after normal business hours or on weekends should be conducted by the ordering facility, as requested by the ordering provider. However, the ordering provider must contact UM within 48 hours or the next business day to obtain proper authorization for the studies that will be subject to medical necessity review.)

Emergency room, observation care, and inpatient imaging procedures do not require prior authorization.

Services that do not require prior authorization

  • Continuation of covered services for a new member transitioning to the plan the first 30 calendar days of continued services (in network and out of network).
  • Dialysis services rendered at freestanding or hospital-based outpatient dialysis facilities, including supplies used at the facilities for the dialysis (in network).
  • Durable medical equipment (DME) — a billed charge under $750 (in network), except for the following:
    • Custom orthotics and prosthetics.
    • Diapers/pull-ups (ages 4 – 20) for those who qualify:
         - Quantities over 200 per month for either or both.
         - Brand-specific diapers.
    • Rentals.
    • Wheelchair parts.

Note: The provider must be credentialed to provide DME services, except for podiatrists. For a list of DME codes that podiatrists are allowed to bill without being credentialed as a DME provider, please refer to the Claims Filing Instructions Manual (PDF).

  • Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPDST) screening services (in network and out of network).
  • Emergency room services (in network and out of network).
  • Family planning services (in network and out of network).
  • Low-level plain films — X-rays, electrocardiograms (in network).
  • Observation – 48 hours (in network).
  • Post-stabilization services (in network and out of network).
  • Routine vision services (in network).
  • Sterilization (in network).
  • Urgent care facilities (in network and out of network).
  • Women's health care/OB/GYN services (in network).

Service for which notification is required

  • Maternity obstetrical services (after the first visit) and outpatient care (includes 30-hour observations).
  • All newborn deliveries.

Members with Medicare coverage may go to Medicare health care providers of choice for Medicare covered services, whether or not the Medicare health care provider has complied with AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana's prior authorization requirements. AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana's policies and procedures must be followed for non-covered Medicare services.

Providers