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Recommended Clinical Review

You can request that your provider submit clinical information for clinical review prior to receiving care and services. This is called recommended clinical review.

Beginning Sept. 1, 2024, prior authorization will be referred to as recommended clinical review.

Recommended clinical review involves a review of the proposed treatment and pertinent clinical information by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas clinical staff. During this review, the experts reviewing your provider’s request determine if the recommended treatment is right for your health needs.

It’s recommended that reviews are done before you get care. You’ll know early if the treatment is covered by TRS-ActiveCare. Approval depends on information your provider sends to BCBSTX medical staff.

When your provider requests care or service, it’s often important to have a clinical person who understands every aspect of your coverage review the request. They may know of another treatment option that’s just as effective and covered under your plan. Making sure your treatment is covered will save you money.

Here’s a breakdown of the way recommended clinical review works:

  • The provider’s office will call BCBSTX to verify your benefits.
  • BCBSTX will advise your provider if a recommended clinical review is suggested for your requested service or care.
  • Your provider may submit a recommended clinical review with clinical information explaining why you need the treatment.
  • BCBSTX clinical staff will consider the request, review clinical information, and tell your provider and you the outcome of the review.

Services that may need recommended clinical review

Elective inpatient medical and surgical facility admissions, including transfers:

  • acute care, hospital hospice, maternity, medical, surgical, transplant
  • hospice care
  • long-term acute and sub-acute care
  • rehabilitation facility
  • skilled nursing facility

Elective behavioral health and chemical dependency facility admissions:

  • inpatient rehabilitation
  • residential treatment center

Outpatient medical and surgical services:

  • advanced imaging/radiology, cardiology
  • molecular genetic lab testing
  • musculoskeletal - joint, spine surgery, musculoskeletal-pain
  • radiation therapy/radiation oncology
  • sleep
  • cardiology – lipid apheresis
  • ear, nose and throat
  • gastroenterology
  • neurology
  • outpatient surgery (breast, deactivation of headache triggers, jaw)
  • pain management
  • sleep studies
  • wound care
  • home health services including but not limited to home private duty nursing (PDN), home infusion therapy and PT/OT/ST
  • home hemodialysis
  • home hospice
  • home infusion therapy
  • non-emergent air ambulance
  • transplant services, transplant evaluations and transplants
  • durable medical equipment greater than $5,000
  • outpatient PT/OT/ST

Mental health and substance use disorder outpatient services:

  • applied behavior analysis
  • intensive outpatient treatment
  • partial hospitalization
  • psychological and neuropsychological testing
  • transcranial magnetic stimulation

Specialty pharmacy medications that are covered by medical benefits:

  • infusion site of care
  • medical oncology and supportive care
  • provider administered drug therapies