Provider Notice Issued 06/15/2020

​Date:    June 15, 2020

To:       Enrolled Dental Providers

Re:      Temporary Dental Prior Approval Requirement Change Related to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

This notice informs dental providers of a temporary change in prior authorization requirements due to the current public health emergency. The information applies to prior authorization requests for participants covered under fee-for-service, HealthChoice Illinois managed care plans and the Medicare/Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) plans.

Prior approval authorizations ending prior to June 1, 2020 for all dental procedure codes requiring prior approval will be automatically extended for an additional six (6) months. Additional supporting documentation for the prior approval extension is not required.

The Department’s goal is to allow flexibility and accommodate all approval requests so that a participant’s access to care is not impacted. This change is temporary to control issues that arise with our participant population due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Other potential changes may be implemented at the Administration’s directive. 

Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565, your DentaQuest provider representative or the appropriate Health Choice Illinois or Medicare/Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) plan.

Kelly Cunningham

Interim Medicaid Administrator