Medical Clinical Policies

Medical Clinical Policies

Clinical policies are one set of guidelines used to assist in administering health plan benefits, either by prior authorization or payment rules. They include but are not limited to policies relating to evolving medical technologies and procedures, as well as pharmacy policies. 

Clinical policies help identify whether services are medically necessary based on information found in generally-accepted standards of medical practice, peer-reviewed medical literature, government agency/program approval status, evidence-based guidelines and positions of leading national health professional organizations, views of physicians practicing in relevant clinical areas affected by the policy, and other available clinical information. 

All policies found in the Absolute Total Care Clinical Policy Manual apply to Absolute Total Care members. Policies in the Absolute Total Care Clinical Policy Manual may have either an Absolute Total Care or a “Centene” heading. Absolute Total Care utilizes InterQual^® criteria for those medical technologies, procedures, or pharmaceutical treatments for which an Absolute Total Care clinical policy does not exist.

InterQual is a nationally recognized evidence-based decision support tool. You may access the InterQual SmartSheet(s)™ for adult and pediatric procedures, durable medical equipment, and imaging procedures by logging in to the Secure Provider Portal or by calling Absolute Total Care.

In addition, Absolute Total Care may from time to time delegate utilization management of specific services; in such circumstances, the delegated vendor’s guidelines may also be used to support medical necessity and other coverage determinations. Other non-clinical policies (e.g., payment policies) or contract terms may further determine whether a technology, procedure or treatment that is not addressed in the Clinical Policy Manuals or InterQual criteria is payable by Absolute Total Care.   

If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact Provider Services at 1-866-433-6041 and ask to be directed to the Medical Management Department.