Waiver of Preauthorization/Precertification Requirements for In-State Post-Acute/Alternate Care Service Requests For Transfer from Acute Care Hospitals - COVID-19

[LOGO] # North Dakota Insurance Department Jon Godfread, Commissioner ## BULLETIN 2020-11 TO: Insurance Carriers offering Major Medical and STLD Insurance Policies FROM: Jon Godfread, Commissioner DATE: November 13, 2020 JGH SUBJECT: Waiver of Preauthorization/Precertification Requirements for In-State Post-Acute/Alternate Care Service Requests For Transfer from Acute Care Hospitals – COVID 19 In consideration of Executive Order 2020-03 declaring a state of emergency and Executive Order 2020-07 ordering state agencies to identify regulatory statutes that in any way delay the agency's ability to render maximum assistance, issued by Governor Doug Burgum, the North Dakota Insurance Department issues this Bulletin in response to the impact of COVID-19 on hospital capacity. The Insurance Department recommends that insurance carriers issuing major medical plans and Short Term Limited Durations plans in the group and individual markets waive preauthorization/precertification requirements for in-state post-acute/alternate care service requests for transfer from acute care hospitals. The Insurance Department has been advised that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significantly reduced number of available staffed medical beds in North Dakota. The Insurance Department has been further advised that waiving these requirements for patients waiting on preauthorization/precertification to be transferred to their next facility will accelerate their transition, thereby assisting hospitals in making beds and other resources available for other more critical COVID-19 patients. This Bulletin 2020-11 will expire on December 31, 2020, unless extended by the Commissioner. Insurance carriers with questions related to this Bulletin are advised to contact the Insurance Department by phone at 701-328-2440 or by email at insurance@nd.gov.