As a utilization management organization, Premier Patient Care IPA, ensures that all decisions are made based on the available medical information at the time of the request. Should a member ask to see the criteria utilized to make a medical decision; the statement below is attached to that guideline, as required by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA):

Decisions regarding requests for medical care are based on the medical necessity of the request, the appropriateness of care and service and existence of coverage. There is no monetary reward for non-approval of services. Compensation for individuals who provide utilization review services does not contain incentives, direct or indirect, for these individuals to make inappropriate review decisions.

Utilization review criteria, based on reasonable medical evidence and acceptable medical standards of practice (i.e. MCG and/or applicable health plan guidelines) are used to make decisions pertaining to the utilization of services. Review Criteria are used in conjunction with the application of professional medical judgment, which considers the needs of the individual patient and characteristics of the local delivery system.

IMPARTIALITY STATEMENT

All participating practitioners are ensured independence and impartiality in making referral decisions which will not influence hiring, compensation, termination, promotion or any other similar matters.

These statements are also on our websites: www.ppcipa.com, procaremso.com, along with other valuable information for our contracted providers and our members, and can be printed, if needed. Our business hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. and Administrative staff can be reached at (760) 879-0595 during business hours.